Utah State Makes First Bowl Appearance Since 1997 In Facing Ohio In Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Dec. 12, 2011
LOGAN, Utah -
USU FB Notes for Famous Idaho Potato Bowl vs Ohio 
Ohio Notes for Famous Idaho Potato Bowl vs. USU
OHIO vs. UTAH STATE
2011 FAMOUS IDAHO
POTATO BOWL
Saturday, Dec. 17 - 3:30 p.m. (MT)
ESPN
Bronco Stadium (33,500)
Boise, Idaho
QUICKLY -- In its first bowl appearance since 1997, Utah State (7-5, 5-2 WAC) will face Ohio (9-4, 6-2 MAC) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 17 at Boise, Idaho... Kickoff from Boise State's Bronco Stadium (33,500) is slated for 3:30 p.m. (MT) and will be nationally televised on ESPN (Comcast Ch. 35 or 668 HD/DirectTv Ch. 206/Dish Network Ch. 140) with Dave Flemming handling play-by-play duties with analysis from former Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti, and Heather Cox as the sideline reporter... The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will also be streamed on ESPN3.com.
BOWL HISTORY -- Utah State is making its seventh bowl appearance overall, but just its third since 1993 and first since 1997, last appearing vs. Cincinnati in the same venue, the formerly-named Humanitarian Bowl.... USU is 1-5 in its previous six bowls.
Date Bowl Site Opponent Result Coach
Jan. 1, 1947 Raisin Fresno, Calif. San Jose St. L 0-20 E. Lowell Romney
Dec. 13, 1947 Grape Lodi, Calif. Pacific L 21-35 E. Lowell Romney
Dec. 31, 1960 Sun El Paso, Texas New Mexico St. L 13-20 John Ralston
Dec. 9, 1961 Gotham New York City Baylor L 9-24 John Ralston
Dec. 17, 1993 Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nev. Ball State W 42-33 Charlie Weatherbie
Dec. 29, 1997 Humanitarian Boise, Idaho Cincinnati L 19-35 John L. Smith
Dec. 17, 2011 Famous Idaho
Potato Boise, Idaho Ohio --- Gary Andersen
ITS LIKE 1993 ALL OVER AGAIN -- Utah State's 2011 and 1993 seasons are eerily similar - 1993's squad opened with 1-5 record before winning the last five games of its regular-season, advancing to the Las Vegas Bowl where it defeated Ball State, 42-33... The 2011 Aggies began the year with a 2-5 mark before winning their last five games of the regular season, advancing to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho.
OR IS IT LIKE 1997? -- Utah State's 2011 season also has a strong resemblance to 1997, when USU advanced to the first-ever Humanitarian Bowl (now known as the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl) in Boise, Idaho and faced a team with a feline mascot from the state of Ohio in the Cincinnati Bearcats... The 2011 Aggies advanced to the first-ever titled Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho, playing a team from the state of Ohio in the Ohio Bobcats.
SMURF TURF-TASTIC -- Saturday is USU's eighth time overall playing on the famous blue turf, aka "Smurf Turf," of Bronco Stadium, playing Boise State six times and in the 1997 Humanitarian Bowl once there... It is Ohio's first time playing on the blue turf.
SATURDAY'S STORYLINES -- Things to watch for in Saturday's battle between the Bobcats and Aggies:
* USU and Ohio are meeting for only the second time ever, with the first meeting coming in 1995, with the Aggies winning, 5-0, at Athens, Ohio, in a downpour.
* The Aggies are making their seventh bowl appearance overall, but first since 1997, last appearing vs. Cincinnati in the same venue, the formerly-named Humanitarian Bowl.... USU is 1-5 in its previous six bowls... Ohio is making its third-straight bowl appearance and will make its fourth bowl appearance in the last six seasons... The Bobcats will make their sixth bowl appearance all-time, but are seeking their first bowl win.
* Utah State's current five-game win streak overall is the most wins in a row since 1993, as 2011 is looking more and more identical to that bowl-winning season, as the 1993 squad won its last five games of the regular-season, and capped its six-game win streak with the Las Vegas Bowl victory.
* USU is 1-1 overall on Dec. 17, but is 1-0 in bowl games on Dec. 17, as the Aggies' lone bowl win was on Dec. 17, 1993 with a 42-33 win over Ball State in the Las Vegas Bowl.
* The Aggies are playing a game in December for just the 19th time in school history, bringing a 6-12 mark... Five of USU's previous six bowl appearances have been in December.
* Saturday is USU's eighth time overall playing on the famous blue turf, aka "Smurf Turf," of Bronco Stadium, playing Boise State six times and in the 1997 Humanitarian Bowl there... It is Ohio's first time playing on the blue turf.
* Utah State is seeking its first eight-win season since 1974, and just its 10th season with eight or more wins in the 119 years of USU football.
* USU has been in nine games that have been decided by one score or less, tied for the most one-score games in the nation with Kansas State... The Aggies scored the game-winning TD in the last minute in four of their last five wins.
* Aggie junior RB Robert Turbin needs:
-- One rushing TD to break USU Career Rushing TD record that he currently is tied for with Abu Wilson (1992, 94-96) with 40 rushing TD's.
-- 120 yards for the USU Single-Season Rushing Yardage record, as he enters Saturday with 1,416, currently No. 5 on the list, whlie Demario Brown holds the record with 1,536 yards in 1999.
* USU's offense has a school-record 5,504 yards of total offense, with a school-record 3,330 rushing with 35 rushing TD's, needing four TD's on the ground to tie the 1961 school-record mark of 39 rushing TD's... The 2011 offense also has the school records for total TDs scored (57) and total points (414), topping the '61 squad's record in both with 55 TDs and 387 points
* Entering Saturday with 439 career tackles, USU senior LB Bobby Wagner needs:
-- Four tackles to tie and five stops to pass Robert Rodriguez (2001-04) from UTEP for the WAC Career Tackles record.
-- Seven tackles to tie and eight stops to break the USU Career Tackles record, currently held by Del Lyles (1988-91) with 446 stops.
FOLLOWING THE GAME AND THE AGGIES
ON TV -- Saturday's Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will be nationally televised on ESPN (Comcast Ch. 35 or 668 HD/DirectTv Ch. 206/Dish Network Ch. 140) with Dave Flemming handling play-by-play duties with analysis from former Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti, and Heather Cox as the sideline reporter.
ON THE AIR -- All Utah State football games are carried live on the Aggie Sports Network: KVNU 610 AM, KVNU 102.1 FM (Cache Valley) and KLZX 95.9 FM in Logan; KZNS (97.5 FM only) in Salt Lake City; on KLZX 105.3 FM in Montpelier, Idaho... All Aggie football games are also on the Internet at www.UtahStateAggies.com by clicking on "Listen Live"... Legendary radio voice Al "Poi Boi" Lewis will handle the play-by-play duties, while former Aggie SID Craig "I Eat Hawaiian Style" Hislop will be providing analysis (for the listeners, not Al).
ON THE INTERNET -- The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will be streamed on ESPN3.com.
GAMETRACKER -- Fans can follow Famous Idaho Potato Bowl through the USU web site at www.UtahStateAggies.com via GameTracker, a free service, which updates play-by-play and statistics throughout the game.
COACH'S SHOW ON THE ROAD -- The Gary Andersen radio show airs on Thursday nights on 610 AM KVNU and on the Internet at 610kvnu.com... The show gives USU fans an opportunity to ask questions and interact with Coach Andersen, other USU coaches and players.
Upcoming Coaches Shows: Dec. 15 from Boise, Idaho - time TBA
UTAH STATE NOTE-ABLES
• Only three of USU's 12 regular-season games were played on natural grass this year: at Auburn, at BYU and at New Mexico State.
• Seven of USU's 12 regular-season games were at night.
• Senior LB Bobby Wagner is a candidate for the:
Butkus Award - nation's top linebacker
Rotary Lombardi Award - nation's top college lineman
Bronko Nagurski Award - nation's best defensive player
Lowe's Senior CLASS Award - athletes who excel both on and off the field
• Junior RB Robert Turbin is a candidate for the:
Doak Walker Award - honoring the nation's top college running back
• Junior RB/KR Kerwynn Williams is a candidate for the:
Paul Hornung Award - most versatile player
• Sophomore OC Tyler Larsen is a candidate for the:
Dave Rimington Trophy - nation's most outstanding center in college football
• Senior WR Eric Moats is a candidate for the:
Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team® -
Recognizing the selfless contributions to volunteerism and community service
made by college football student-athletes across the nation.
Wuerffel Trophy
Presented by the All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach, Florida to the
college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Idaho Sports Medicine Institute Humanitarian Award
Recognizing student-athlete from bowl team for community service.
ABOUT USU -- Utah State is making its first bowl appearance since 1997, and have won seven games overall for the first time since 1993, as the Aggies won their fifth in a row with another nail-biter in a 24-21 victory at New Mexico State on Saturday... It is the first seven-win regular season for Utah State since 1979, and just the 21st time in 113 seasons of football of having at least seven wins... It was also USU's fifth Western Athletic Conference win of the season, the Aggies' most victories in their seven years in the league... It is Utah State's best conference mark since a 4-1 Big West record in 2000 and first five conference win season for USU since 1993... Saturday was Utah State's fifth win in a row overall, including third-straight road win, the first three-game win streak away from home, winning the last two road games of the regular-season and the Las Vegas Bowl... It is the Aggies' first three-game true road game win streak since 1989... The five-game win streak overall is the most wins in a row since 1993, as 2011 is looking more and more identical to that bowl-winning season, as the 1993 squad won its last five games of the regular-season, and capped its six-game win streak with the Las Vegas Bowl victory.
On the season, the Aggies average 458.7 ypg total offense, with 277.5 ypg rushing and 181.2 ypg passing... Overall, USU has a school-record 5,504 yards, with a school-record 3,330 rushing with 35 TD's, while passing for 2,174 yards with 22 TD's and six INT's... The Aggie defense allows just 368.0 ypg, including 128.0 rushing and 240.0 ypg passing... USU averages 34.5 ppg while giving up 28.2 ppg.
Junior QB Adam Kennedy is now 65-of-92 (.707) for 909 yards on the season with 10 TD's and four INT's... Freshman QB Chuckie Keeton is 106-of-174 (.609) for 1,200 yards with 11 TD's and two INT's... Junior RB Robert Turbin has gained his 1,416 yards off 229 carries (6.2 ypc/118.0 ypg) with 19 rushing TD's... Junior WR Matt Austin leads the team with 34 receptions for 465 yards (38.8 ypg/13.7 ypc) with six TD's... Senior LB Bobby Wagner anchors the USU defense with 140 total tackles (11.7 pg) with 10.5 TFL's and four sacks... Fellow senior LB Kyle Gallager adds 91 stops (7.6 pg)... Wagner leads USU with 10.5 TFL's, while senior DE/LB Levi Koskan and junior LB/DE Bojay Filimoeatu add 10.0 TFL's apiece... Koskan also has a team-best 5.5 sacks.... Junior RB/KR Kerwynn Williams has a 22.7 kick return average and a 14.0 punt return average, part of his 121.5 ypg all-purpose... Junior P Tyler Bennett has a 44.7 ypp average with 15 of 50+ and a long of 67 yards, as well as 18 punts inside the 20... Sophomore PK Josh Thompson is 6-of-9 on FG's with a long of 43, and has booted a single-season school-record 54 PAT's (54-of-55).
LAST TIME OUT -- Junior QB Adam Kennedy hit fellow junior, WR Matt Austin with an 8-yard TD toss with 35 seconds left for another dramatic last-minute comeback with with a 24-21 victory at New Mexico State... After a squib kick on the kickoff, sophomore CB Nevin Lawson intercepted NMSU QB Matt Christian's pass to seal the visiting Aggies' win... Lawson's interception was significant for two-fold, as it was not only the first interception by a defensive back this season, but it was Lawson's second game-sealing oskie of his career, as he had a pick in the endzone in the waning seconds to seal Utah State's 38-34 win at San Jose State last year.
The win over NMSU Saturday was also Utah State's ninth game this season decided by one score... The nine games is tied for the most in the country for one-score games, joined by with Kansas State... Overall, 10 of USU's 12 games have been decided by 10 points or less.
It was Utah State's fourth win this season with less than a minute or no time on the clock, joining the Aggies' wins at Hawai'i, at Idaho and home vs. San Jose State... The game-winning TD with 35 seconds left ranks No. 10 in USU's last-minutes game-winning scores since 1991 list... It was also Utah State's second last-minute win over New Mexico State in that span, as USU beat NMSU, 45-44 in OT in 2002.
Utah State's offensive line plowed the way for the visiting Aggies' rushing attack to amass 392 rushing yards Saturday, as USU rushed for its season-high against a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent this season, and second-highest of the season behind 440 yards vs. Weber State, and Saturday was USU's 11th-best rushing output in the program's history... The 392 rushing yards gives USU 3,330 rushing yards on the season, a new school record, bettering the previous mark of 3,120 set in 1960.
USU ended the day with 515 yards of total offense, as Kennedy was 12-of-16 passing for 123 yards with a season-high three TD's, his fourth multi-TD passing outing in the just over four-and-a-half games that he has been the main signal-caller for USU.
Senior RB Michael Smith had a career-best outing with 121 yards on 18 carries, while junior RB Robert Turbin had 98 yards on 25 rushes and Kennedy added a career-high 95 yards on 15 carries... Junior RB Kerwynn Williams also had 68 yards rushing.
ABOUT OHIO -- The Bobcats are 9-4 overall after going 6-2 in Mid-American Conference action, winning the MAC East Division title and advancing to the MAC Championship game, where they lost to Northern Illinois, 23-20, on Saturday in Detroit... Ohio led 20-0 at halftime, but NIU rallied back and kicked a 33-yard field goal on the last play to cap a furious rally... Ohio sophomore QB Tyler Tettleton, the son of former major league catcher Mickey Tettleton, went 18-of-31 for 218 yards with no TDs and three interceptions... He also ran for a touchdown, but his final interception, with 8:49 to play, set the stage for the Northern Illinois comeback... The Bobcats opened their best start to a season since 1976 with a 3-0 start, and closed the regular-season with a five-game win streak that was snapped with the loss to NIU... Ohio's MAC East Division title was its third in the last six years... The Bobcats earned a league-best 11 spots on the All-MAC team.
Ohio averages 453.5 ypg of total offense, with 250.9 ypg passing and 202.6 ypg rushing, with 28 TDs passing and 17 rushing scores, averaging 31.0 ppg... The Bobcats' defense yields 354.9 ypg with 228.8 ypg passing and 126.1 ypg rushing, allowing 23 passing TDs and 11 rushing TDs, giving up 22.1 ppg.
Tettleton set 12 single-season records, accounted for 35 touchdowns (26 passing; 9 rushing) and 3,709 total yards of offense (285.3 ypg)... Tettleton adds 627 yards rushing on 150 carries (4.2 ypc/48.2 ypg) with a team-leading nine rushing TDs... Senior WR LaVon Brazill caught a team-best 10 receiving TDs and became the first WR in school history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards... Senior RB Donte' Harden leads the Bobcats' ground attack with 939 rushing yards on 172 carries (5.5 ypc/85.4 ypg) with two TD's... Defensively, senior LB Noah Keller anchored a defensive unit that ranked second in the league in points allowed (22.1 points per game)... Keller finished the year with team-best 105 tackles (8.1 pg)... Junior DE Tremayne Scott leads Ohio with eight TFL's and 3.5 sacks, while junior CB Travis Carrie has a team-leading four INT's and 12 pass break-ups... Harden has a 26.3 kick return average while Brazill has a team-leading 24 punt returns, but just a 5.9 ypr while Carrie is tops on the team with a 14.2 ypr average and has a 65-yard return for a TD... Senior P Paul Hershey has a 39.5 ypp average with a long of 80, one of eight over 50 yards, and has 22 inside the 20... Junior PK Matt Weller is 24-of-33 FG's and 45-of-46 on PAT's.
AGGIES REMAIN HIGHLY RANKED AMONG LEADERS IN FBS AND WAC FOOTBALL STATISTICS -- Even with 392 rushing yards Saturday, Utah State football remains ranked sixth in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) statistics for the ninth week in a row, as well as leading the Western Athletic Conference (WAC)... Now with a 277.5 rushing yards per game, USU is sixth in FBS and leading the WAC, one of four categories that the Aggies are tops in the league in... Utah State continues to tote the top total defense in the WAC statistically, as the Aggies rank 50th in the FBS, yielding 368.0 ypg... In scoring offense, Utah State leads the conference and is 21st in the country at 34.5 ppg. USU also leads the league and ranks 16th in the nation in passing efficiency at 153.95... In total offense, USU is second in the WAC and 20th in FBS at 458.7 ypg, while also ranking second in the conference and tied for 36th in the country in sacks allowed (1.4 pg)... The Aggies' defense is also second in the league and 32nd in the country in rushing defense (128.0 ypg)... USU's defense is also second in the conference and 57th in the nation in tackles for loss (5.8 pg), while ranking third in the league and 56th in the country in sacks (1.9 pg)... Utah State is also third in the conference and 42nd in the nation in pass efficiency defense (123.06)... On special teams, the Aggies are second in the league and 28th in the nation in kickoff returns at 23.5 ypr, while ranking fourth in the conference and 29th in the country in net punting (38.2 ypp)... Individually, junior RB Robert Turbin is second in the WAC and 10th in the FBS in rushing (118. ypg) while leading the league and ranking tied for fifth in the FBS in scoring (11.5 ppg)... Turbin is also sixth in the league and 42nd in the nation in all-purpose yards (131.7 ypg)... Junior RB/KR Kerwynn Williams is fifth in the conference and 73rd in the country in kick returns (22.7 ypr), part of his 121.5 all-purpose yards per game, ranking eighth in the league and 58th in the nation... Defensively, senior LB Bobby Wagner is still tops in the WAC and ranks eighth in FBS in tackles at 11.7 per game... Fellow senior LB Kyle Gallagher is 12th in the conference in tackles (7.6 pg)... Senior DE/LB Levi Koskan is tied for sixth in the league and tied for 70th in the nation in sacks with .5 pg, while also ranking ninth in the WAC in tackles for loss (0.9 pg)... Junior P Tyler Bennett is third in the WAC and 11th in the FBS in punting at 44.7 ypp... Sophomore PK Josh Thompson is sixth in the league in field goals (.5 pg), while also ranking tied for eighth in the conference in scoring (6.0 ppg)... Thompson has also connected on a league-leading 54 extra points this season.
ALL-WAC HONOREES -- Utah State junior RB Robert Turbin was named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and was one of six Aggies on the all-WAC first and second-teams.
Turbin was joined on the first-team by senior LB Bobby Wagner, senior OG Philip Gapelu and sophomore OC Tyler Larsen... Senior DE Levi Koskan and senior TE Tarren Lloyd were second-team selections.
Both the three first-team all-WAC selections and the six overall honorees is the most all-WAC selections for USU in its seven years in the league and is Utah State's most overall all-conference players recognized since 2003 when the Aggies had nine in the Big West.
Turbin is USU's first WAC Offensive Player of the Year award recipient and just the Aggies' second WAC individual honor, joining Paul Igboeli's WAC Freshman of the Year honor in 2006... Overall, Turbin is just the second USU player to earn a conference Offensive Player of the Year honor, joining Kendal Smith who was the 1998 Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
FIRST-TEAM
Robert Turbin, JR, RB
Philip Gapelu, SR, OL
Tyler Larsen, SO, OL
Bobby Wagner, SR, LB
WAC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Robert Turbin, JR, RB
SECOND-TEAM
Levi Koskan, SR, DE
Tarren Lloyd, SR, TE
DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK, WE'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE -- USU has made LL Cool J proud in four of the last five games, as the Aggies rallied from a double-digit deficit for the sixth time in the last two years with comeback wins over Hawai`i, San Jose State, Nevada and New Mexico State... In the win over San Jose State, the Aggies overcame a double-digit deficit, which was not only USU's second game in a row in rallying from down double digits and scoring the game-winning TD in the final minute, but it was also the second year in a row that the Aggies rallied from down double digits and scored in the final minute against San Jose State, as last year at San Jose, Derrvin Speight scored a 15-yard TD run with 34 seconds left to give USU a 38-34 win over SJSU, rallying from down 10-0... On Nov. 12 of this season at Hawai'i, USU rallied from down 28-7 late in the first half to win, 35-31, and against Nevada on Nov. 26, the Aggies came back from down 10-0 in the second quarter... Last year, at San Jose State, the Aggies rallied from down 10-0 at San Jose State and winning, 38-34, a week after being down 14-0 to New Mexico State before rallying to win, 27-22... The 28-7 comeback at Hawai`i was the largest against an FBS team since at least 1990 and the second-largest since then, behind the 27-0 rally against Idaho State in 2001, rallying to win, 28-27... Ironically, eight of USU's nine comebacks have been in November, including two on Nov. 2, while New Mexico State and San Jose State have each been the victim twice.
Deficit Winning Score Opponent Date
27-0 28-27 vs. Idaho State Oct. 20, 2001
28-7 35-31 AT HAWAI`I NOV. 5, 2011
14-0 27-22 vs. New Mexico State Nov. 6, 2010
13-0 21-13 vs. North Texas Nov. 2, 1996
33-21 34-33 VS. SAN JOSE STATE NOV. 12, 2011
12-0 34-25 vs. New Mexico State Nov. 20, 2004
10-0 20-19 vs. Fresno State Nov. 2, 1991
10-0 38-34 at San Jose State Nov. 13, 2010
10-0 21-17 VS. NEVADA NOV. 26, 2011
LAST MINUTE GAME-WINNING SCORES -- USU's last-minute game-winner against New Mexico State was the Aggies' fourth game-winning score with less then a minute or no time on the clock in their last five games and three of the four have been on the road, as was the case with the win at NMSU... The Idaho win was USU's second double-OT win since 1991, and the fourth overall in that time with :00 on the clock... This season USU has tied for the top spot on the last minute game-winners list (:00 at Idaho), as well as the No. 6 spot (:14 at Hawai`i), No. 10 spot (:35 at NMSU) and No. 11 (:47 vs. SJSU)... Just like its double-digit comebacks, a majority of USU's last minute game-winning scores have come in November, with 10 of the 14 in the final minute happening in November.
Time Result Date Play
:00 USU 19, Troy 16 Nov. 16, 2002 36 FG to force OT / 34 FG to win
:00 USU 45, New Mexico 44 OT Oct. 19, 2002 32 TD pass to force OT/8 run to win
:00 USU 29, NMSU 26 2OT Oct. 31, 1998 11 run in 2nd OT
:00 USU 49, at IDAHO 42 Nov. 19, 2011 2 TD RUN IN 2ND OT
:05 USU 28, North Texas 27 Nov. 14, 1998 30 FG
:14 USU 35, at HAWAI`I 31 NOV. 5, 2011 1 TD RUN
:18 USU 38, Pacific 35 Nov. 21, 1992 40 FG
:28 USU 44, NMSU 37 Nov. 4, 2000 9 TD run
:34 USU 38, SJSU 34 Nov. 13, 2010 15 TD run
:35 USU 24, at NMSU 17 DEC. 3, 2011 8 TD PASS
:47 USU 34, SJSU 33 Nov. 12, 2011 21 TD PASS
:51 USU 20, Fresno State 19 Nov. 2, 1991 45 FG
:55 USU 13, Fresno State 12 Oct. 7, 2006 30 TD pass
1:00 USU 37, Nevada 35 Nov. 20, 1999 1 TD run
LAST MINUTE SCORE IN LOSS
:21 BYU 34, USU 31 Oct. 1, 1999 4 TD pass to force OT/lost on FG
BIG CATCHERS -- Utah State is one of eight teams in the country with at least eight players with a minimum of five catches and average at least 10.5 yards per catch, ranking tied for fifth in the country:
Oregon 11
Houston 10
Florida State 9
Central Michigan 9
UTAH STATE 8
New Mexico State 8
Arizona State 8
West Virginia 8
BURNING THE BARN -- Utah State has been in nine games that have been decided by one score or less: losing to Auburn, 42-38, on Sept. 3, losing to Colorado State, 35-34, in 2OT, on Sept. 24, losing at BYU, 27-24 on Sept. 30 and losing to Louisiana Tech, 24-17, on Oct. 22, before breaking through with the 35-31 win at Hawai`i on Nov. 5 and following it up with a wild 34-33 win over San Jose State on Nov. 12 and another wild win with a 49-42 double OT victory at Idaho on Nov. 19 before the 21-17 win over Nevada on Nov. 26 and then capping the barn-burner bunch with a 24-21 win at New Mexico State on Dec. 3... Those nine games are tied for the most one-score games in the nation with Kansas State... The 34 point differential is the fewest for anyone with more than seven one score games... Overall, the 34 point differential rank the Aggies 41st for point differential... The Aggies are also one of 19 teams with four losses by eight points or less:
GAMES DECIDED BY ONE SCORE - BY # OF GAMES
Team Games Total Points
UTAH STATE 9 (5-4, two OT) 34
Kansas State 9 (8-1) 43
Miami (Fla.) 8 (2-6) 42
San Jose State 7 (4-3) 24
Ohio State 7 (2-5, one OT) 36
Louisville 7 (2-5) 37
Navy 6 (1-5, one OT) 18
Colorado State 6 (2-4, one OT) 21
Louisiana Tech 6 (3-3, two OT) 26
Miami (Ohio) 6 (2-4) 30
Syracuse 6 (4-2, three in OT) 30
Wake Forest 6 (3-3) 30
New Mexico State 6 (3-3) 30
Central Florida 6 (0-6) 31
Duke 5 (2-3) 12
Baylor 5 (4-1) 14
South Carolina 5 (4-1) 16
Hawai`i 5 (1-4) 18
Illinois 5 (3-2) 19
Notre Dame 5 (3-2) 19
Nevada 5 (2-3) 19
Idaho 5 (1-4) 20
Texas A&M 5 (1-4) 20
Penn State 5 (4-1) 21
Marshall 5 (5-0) 22
Central Michigan 5 (2-3) 22
Boston College 5 (1-4) 22
MOST LOSSES BY EIGHT POINTS OR LESS
Rk No Team
1. 6 UCF
6 Miami (Fla.)
3. 5 Navy
5 Louisville
5 Texas A&M
5 Ohio State
5 Indiana
5 South Florida
9. 4 Duke
4 Hawai'i
4 Idaho
4 UTAH STATE
4 Vanderbilt
4 Miami (Ohio)
4 Pittsburgh
4 Boston College
4 Connecticut
4 Colorado State
4 Fresno State
GAMES DECIDED BY ONE SCORE - BY PTS
Team Games Total Points
Buffalo 3 (1-2) 5
Rutgers 4 (2-2) 8
Cincinnati 3 (2-1) 9
Colorado 3 (1-2) 10
TCU 3 (1-2) 10
Arizona State 4 (1-3) 11
Western Kentucky 4 (3-1) 11
BYU 4 (2-2) 12
Duke 5 (2-3) 12
Baylor 5 (4-1) 14
Florida 3 (1-2) 14
Auburn 3 (3-0) 14
Mississippi State 3 (1-2) 15
Wyoming 4 (4-0) 15
Minnesota 4 (2-2) 16
Middle Tennessee 4 (1-3) 16
South Carolina 5 (4-1) 16
USC 3 (2-1) 17
Navy 6 (1-5, one OT) 18
Colorado State 6 (2-4, one OT) 21
Hawai`i 5 (1-4) 18
East Carolina 3 (0-3, one OT) 19
Nevada 5 (2-3) 19
Illinois 5 (3-2) 19
Indiana 4 (0-4) 19
Notre Dame 5 (3-2) 19
Idaho 5 (1-4) 20
Texas A&M 5 (1-4) 20
UConn 4 (1-3) 20
Penn State 5 (4-1) 21
Marshall 5 (5-0) 22
Boston College 5 (1-4) 22
Central Michigan 5 (2-3) 22
San Jose State 7 (4-3) 24
Louisiana Tech 6 (3-3, two OT) 26
New Mexico State 6 (3-3) 30
Wake Forest 6 (3-3) 30
Syracuse 6 (4-2, three in OT) 30
Miami (Ohio) 6 (2-4) 30
Central Florida 6 (0-6) 31
UTAH STATE 9 (5-4, TWO OT) 34
Ohio State 7 (2-5, one OT) 36
Louisville 7 (2-5) 37
Miami (Fla.) 8 (2-6) 42
Kansas State 9 (8-1) 43
RED LEADER, RED LEADER -- That title not only is fitting for the Star Wars call sign of the Commander of Red Squadron, but also for the Utah State offense, which leads the WAC, but slid from ranking tied for sixth in the FBS to tied for 21st... USU converted on 22-of-22 trips before not scoring twice in the Fresno State game on Oct. 15, and then once in the SJSU game on Nov. 12, and then twice at New Mexico State... The Aggies have now scored on 88 percent of their trips to the red zone (37-of-42).
RED ZONE OFFENSE
Rank Name Gm Drives Scores Points Rush TD Pass TD FG Pct
1 Stanford 12 64 63 388 24 26 13 .98
2 Wisconsin 13 70 67 444 38 23 6 .96
3 Texas A&M 12 58 55 322 22 18 15 .95
4 La.-Lafayette 12 36 34 194 16 8 10 .94
5 LSU 13 61 57 346 30 14 13 .93
5 Pittsburgh 12 43 40 236 21 8 11 .93
7 Toledo 12 52 48 299 24 15 9 .92
7 Kent St. 12 25 23 125 9 6 8 .92
9 Western Mich. 12 55 50 310 15 25 10 .91
10 Ball St. 12 49 44 252 16 14 14 .90
10 Nebraska 12 49 44 261 25 7 12 .90
12 Northern Ill. 13 64 57 335 25 16 16 .89
12 Oklahoma 12 61 54 304 21 15 18 .89
12 California 12 54 48 270 22 11 15 .89
12 Texas Tech 12 54 48 303 17 23 8 .89
12 Georgia Tech 12 53 47 301 39 1 7 .89
12 Washington 12 45 40 264 11 25 4 .89
12 Connecticut 12 36 32 172 13 6 13 .89
12 Ohio St. 12 36 32 186 15 8 9 .89
12 Rice 12 36 32 178 11 10 11 .89
21 Oklahoma St. 12 77 68 403 26 24 18 .88
21 Kansas St. 12 58 51 307 30 9 12 .88
21 Missouri 12 51 45 267 23 10 12 .88
21 UTAH STATE 12 42 37 242 23 10 4 .88
21 Marshall 12 32 28 159 6 13 9 .88
----
71 Ohio 13 61 49 265 13 17 19 .80
NOT MANY OSKIES -- While Utah State games have been heavy on the drama and excitment with so many going down the wire, they have been light on interceptions, as the Aggies lead the country in fewest combined interceptions both thrown and caught with 10, six thrown and four caught... The six INT's thrown is tied for ninth-fewest in FBS while the four picks is tied for third-fewest in FBS.
School Picked off Thrown Total
1 UTAH STATE 4 6 10
2 New Mexico 3 8 11
3 Army 8 4 12
4 Akron 2 11 13
Eastern Mich. 5 8 13
6 Minnesota 4 10 14
7 Buffalo 6 9 15
Fresno St. 5 10 15
Iowa 9 6 15
Northern Ill. 10 5 15
Stanford 6 9 15
TCU 9 6 15
Texas Tech 5 10 15
-------
T89 Ohio 15 11 26
BIG BERTHA DRIVING -- Utah State's offense is equipped with a Big Bertha driver in its bag, as the Aggies have five scoring drives of 90+ yards this season, including two of 99-yards, ranking tied for second-most in the nation for 90+ yard drives as well as tied for the most 99-yard scoring drives:
90+ Yard Scoring Drives
7 Georgia Tech (95, 98, 90, 95, 92, 94, 91)
6 Alabama (98, 94, 92, 92, 92, 90)
5 Virginia Tech (97, 96, 90, 95, 96)
5 UTAH STATE (91, 90, 99, 99, 94)
5 Texas Tech (91, 95, 92, 92, 91)
5 Southern Miss (94, 95, 96, 98, 99)
5 Middle Tennessee (95, 95, 94, 98, 96)
5 Louisiana Tech (94, 93, 90, 92, 96)
5 California (92, 91, 91, 91, 96)
5 BYU (99, 97, 96, 91, 90)
99-Yard Scoring Drives
2 UTAH STATE
2 Oklahoma State
1 BYU
1 LSU
1 Notre Dame
1 Oregon State
1 Rice
1 San Jose State
1 San Diego State
1 Southern Miss
TOTAL OFFENSE TOPS 5K, SETS NEW SCHOOL RECORDS -- Utah State's offensive explosion in the New Mexico State game with 515 yards not only put the Aggies over the 5,000 yard mark for the second time in the last three years with 5,504 yards, but it also established a new USU record for total offense yards, surpassing the previous mark of 5,272 yards set in 2009... The 2011 offense has also set school record with 57 TDs scored, bettering the previous record of 55 set in 1961, as well as a new total points record with 414 points, topping the previous record of 387 also in 1961:
Tot Off Rush Pass
Year G Yds Yds Yds TD Pts Avg
2011 12 5504 3330 2174 57 414 34.5
2009 12 5272 2311 2961 44 349 29.1
1996 11 5154 1661 3493 43 330 30.0
1997 11 4943 1858 3085 49 370 33.6
1993 11 4863 1715 3148 38 321 29.2
1972 11 4783 1619 3164 43 329 29.9
1995 11 4776 1801 2975 37 293 26.6
1979 11 4727 1778 2949 45 347 31.5
2011 RUSHING ATTACK AMONG USU ELITE -- This season's Utah State rushing attack has also amassed a school record with 3,330 rushing yards, just the second time ever over 3,000 yards and the third-straight season over 2,000 yards after a 34-year hiatus from 1975-2009... With 392 rushing yards at New Mexico State, this year's rushing attack broke the previous record of 3,120 yards set by the 1960 squad... USU's 35 rushing TD's are currently the second-most in school-history, behind 39 rushing TD's in 1961:
Year G No Yds Avg TD
2011 12 573 3330 277.5 35
1960 10 553 3120 312.0 29
1961 10 534 2808 280.8 39
1974 11 681 2701 245.5 15
2010 12 528 2442 168.7 24
1959 11 534 2371 215.5 17
RUSH, RUSH, RUSH -- Utah State's offense is not rocking out to the hair band, but is doing a lot of rushing, to the tune of 277.5 yards per game... The 277.5 ypg average this season is on pace to be the Aggies' highest rushing average since 1961 when USU amassed 280.8 ypg... USU's total offense average of 453.5 ypg is on pace to be the second-best in school history behind 468.5 ypg in 1996... Additionally, the Aggies' 35.5 points per game is the highest scoring average since 1961's 38.7 ppg.
USU's Top Offensive Averages
Rushing Avg. Total Offense Avg. Scoring Avg.
312.0, 1960 468.5, 1996 38.7, 1961
280.8, 1961 458.7, 2011 34.5, 2011
277.5, 2011 449.4, 1997 33.6, 1997
245.5, 1974 442.1, 1993 31.7, 1963
236.4, 1962 439.3, 2009 31.5, 1979
215.5, 1959 434.8, 1972 30.0, 1996
WE'RE GOING STREAKING -- Several Utah State players and the Aggie team take streaks into Saturday's game:
WR Stanley Morrison • Has at least one catch in 36-straight games played,
which leads the WAC.*
RB Robert Turbin • Rushed for at least 60 yards in his last 18
games played.*
WR Matt Austin • Has at least one catch in last 13 games played.
WR Eric Moats • Has at least one catch in last 33 of last 36 games
in career.
LB Bobby Wagner • Started 39-consecutive games.
• Made at least six tackles in 28-straight games.
LB Kyle Gallagher • Started 25-consecutive games.
• Posted at least five tackles in last 16 games.
Utah State Offense • Amassed 240 yards of total offense in last
17 games.
• Rushed for at least 31 attempts in 38-straight
games.
• Thrown at least one passing TD in last six contests.
Utah State Defense • Kept opponents rushing total to 185 yards or less
in last eight games.
• Forced at least one turnover in last five games.
TD RUSHING -- Utah State scored five rushing TD's in each of its first three games, before being limited to only one in the BYU game, but then scoring four in the Wyoming game, then two each in the next three games (Fresno State, LA Tech and Hawai`i) before scoring three in the SJSU game, then five in the Idaho game and then back to one in the Nevada game, before not scoring any rushing TD's in the regular-season finale, giving the Aggies 35 rushing TD's on the season in 12 games... That ranks tied for fifth in the FBS, and USU's 2.9 rushing TD's per game is also fifth in the nation:
TEAM TD's G AVG PG
1 Wisconsin 46 13 3.5
2 Georgia Tech 44 12 3.7
3 Air Force 39 12 3.3
Oregon 39 13 3.0
5 UTAH STATE 35 12 2.9
Temple 35 12 2.9
LSU 35 13 2.7
TCU 35 12 2.9
9 Oklahoma St. 34 12 2.8
10 Army 33 11 3.0
Alabama 33 12 2.8
Kansas St. 33 12 2.8
Houston 33 13 2.5
14 Northern Ill. 32 13 2.5
15 Navy 31 11 2.8
Michigan 31 12 2.6
Toledo 31 12 2.6
18 Nebraska 30 12 2.5
-----
T69 Ohio 17 13 1.3
TENACIOUS D -- The Aggies' defense has been much improved this season, as their 368.0 ypg total defense yardage is on pace to be the best since 1998's 319.9 ypg... USU's rushing defense average of 128.0 ypg is on pace to be the lowest since 1998:
Rushing Avg.
50.8, 1961
82.8, 1966
83.9, 1965
84.7, 1960
93.2, 1963
115.0, 1985
115.6, 1997
116.2, 1981
123.4, 1998
128.0, 2011
MORE POSITIVE PUNT RETURNS -- With 124 punt return yards this season, USU has surpassed last year's season total of 72 total punt return yards... The Aggies also have six punt returns of 10 or more yards, doubling last year's total of three, equalling last season's total in the Weber State game alone, part of nearly matching 2010's season total with 69 punt returns in that game.
NEVER TOO OLD TO PUNT, PASS AND KICK -- While listed as a WR on the USU roster, senior Stanley Morrison may as well have a UT listed insted as a utility player as he has played several different positions for the Aggies this season, mostly lining up at wide receiver, but also seeing action at quarterback for a couple series in the San Jose State game, as well as punter and holder... Morrison is 3-of-4 passing on the season, but all have come when lining up somewhere other than QB... One of his passes was when he was lined up at punter, part of successfully executing two fake punts in the Hawai`i game to earn WAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, running for a first down on the other fake... Morrison also had an 8-yard pass for a first down on a fake field goal in the Auburn game and he also threw a TD pass to junior RB Robert Turbin in the Nevada game on a throw-back pass play, and trying a pass on a reverse in the New Mexico State game, but was incomplete... In the Idaho game, Morrison registered a 36-yard punt, pinning Idaho inside the 20... Morrison just needs to kick a field goal or extra point for the full gamete.
KOOL HAND KENNEDY -- Junior QB Adam Kennedy came on in relief of injured freshman QB Chuckie Keeton late in the first half of the Hawai`i game with his only action before intermission taking a kneel down... However, Kennedy has spearheaded USU to victory in each of the last five games... In his four-and-a half games of action, Kennedy is 61-of-87 (.701) for 863 yards with 10 TD's and four INT's... Kennedy is averaging 191.8 ypg in those four-and-a-half games, while also averageing 49.8 ypg rushing... He also has a passing efficiency of 182.17 in those four-and-a-half games, with a season efficiency of 180.82, a mark that would lead the WAC and rank third in FBS, but he has only played in seven of USU's 12 games (58.3) and does not meet the minimum requirement of 75 percent participation.
UTAH STATE-OHIO SERIES -- Utah State and Ohio are meeting for only the second time in football, with the Aggies winning a wild one with a 5-0 victory on Sept. 17, 1994, in a downpour in Athens, Ohio.
USU vs. Ohio: 1-0
09-17-94 W 5-0 A
AGGIES VS. BOBCATS IN OTHER SPORTS -- USU and Ohio are just a familiar foes in football as they are in any other sports, as men's basketball is the only sport that the two schools have faced each other, as the Aggies and Bobcats met on the hardwood during the 1958-59 season, with Ohio winning, 80-72, in the All-American City Invitational at Owensburo, Kentucky.
Sport Series History Last Meeting Last USU Win
Football 1-0 1994 1994
M. Basketball 0-1 1958-59 Never
W. Basketball 0-0 Never Never
W. Soccer 0-0 Never Never
Softball 0-0 Never Never
Volleyball 0-0 Never Never
UTAH STATE AGAINST BUCKEYE STATE SCHOOL -- Utah State has a 4-2 record overall against teams from the state of Ohio, posting a 2-0 mark against Bowling Green, a 1-0 record against Ohio, an even 1-1 ledger against Kent State and an 0-1 mark against Cincinnati... USU is 0-1 against an Ohio school in a bowl game played in Idaho, as the Aggies lost to Cincinnati in the 1997 Humanitarian Bowl (now the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl).
Bowling Green 2-0
9-20-69 W 14-6 A
9-19-70 W 33-14 H
Cincinnati: 0-1
12-29-97 L 19-35 N
Kent State: 1-1
10-27-73 L 16-27 H
10-19-74 W 27-24 A
Ohio: 1-0
09-17-94 W 5-0 A
USU AGAINST THE MAC -- The Aggies have a 7-1 ledger against current members of the Mid-American Conference, as Saturday is USU's first meeting against a MAC foe since beating Northern Illinois in 1995... The Aggies have won their last three meetings with a MAC school after losing to Kent State in 1973... Two variables are in the Aggies' factor Saturday, as USU is also 1-0 against a MAC school in a bowl game, beating Ball State, 42-33, in the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl, as well as 1-0 against a MAC school on Dec. 17, as the USU win over Ball State was on Dec. 17, 1993.
USU vs. The MAC Series Last
Ball State 1-0 1993 (in Las Vegas Bowl)
Bowling Green 2-0 1970
Kent 1-1 1974
Northern Ill. 1-0 1995
Ohio 1-0 1994
W. Michigan 1-0 1961
Total 7-1
OHIO VS. THE WAC -- Ohio is 3-2 against current WAC schools, going 1-0 vs. New Mexico State after this season's 44-24 game one victory, 1-0 vs. Hawai`i, 1-1 against Idaho and 0-1 vs. Utah State.
WAC VS. THE MAC -- Saturday marks the third match-up between Western Athletic Conference and Mid-American Conference teams this season, and the WAC is seeking its first W against the MAC... This is Ohio's second meeting against a WAC team, winning at New Mexico State, 44-24 in the season-opener on Sept. 3... Idaho has the league's other MAC match-up, also facing off in the first game of the year, losing to Bowling Green, 32-15, on Sept. 1.
WAC AGAINST MAC IN BOWL GAMES -- WAC teams are 2-1 against MAC teams in bowl games, winning the first two meetings as Louisiana Tech beat Northern Illinois, 17-10, in the 2008 Independence Bowl, Idaho nipped Bowling Green, 43-42, in the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl, before Norther Illinois beat Fresno State, 40-17 in last season's Humanitarian Bowl.
WAC vs. MAC in Bowls (2-1)
2008 Independendce Louisiana Tech 17, Northern Illinois 10
2009 Humanitarian Idaho 43, Bowling Green 42
2010 Humanitarian Northern Illinois 40, Fresno St. 17
THE WAC IN FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL -- The Western Athletic Conference currently has a 3-4 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (formerly the Humanitarian Bowl), losing two of the last three appearances with Idaho's wild 43-42 win over Bowling Green in 2009 the lone WAC win in that span... Last year, Fresno State lost to Northern Illinois, 40-17, and Nevada lost to Maryland from the ACC, 42-35, in 2008.
Current WAC Teams in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (formerly Humanitarian Bowl): 3-4
December 18, 2010 - Northern Illinois (MAC) 40 Fresno State (WAC) 17
December 30, 2009 - Idaho (WAC) 43 Bowling Green (MAC) 42
December 30, 2008 - Maryland (ACC) 42 Nevada (WAC) 35
December 31, 2007 - Fresno State (WAC) 40 Georgia Tech (ACC) 28
December 31, 2006 - Miami (ACC) 21 Nevada (WAC) 20
December 27, 2004 - Fresno State (WAC) 37 Virginia (ACC) 34
December 31, 2001 - Clemson (ACC) 49 La Tech (WAC) 24
BLUE TURF TESTED -- Utah State will be playing its ninth game on the "Famous Blue Turf of Bronco Stadium" - playing at Boise State seven times and playing in the 1997 Humanitarian Bowl against Cincinnati... USU won its first game on the "Smurf Turf," but have lost its last seven... However, Saturday will be the first time in the Aggies' last four games there that the opponent is not ranked, as USU faced a top-15 ranked Boise State team in the previous games played on the blue turf.
10-19-96 W 39-14 at Boise State
12-29-97 L 19-35 vs. Cincinnati in Humanitarian Bowl
10-25-98 L 16-30 at Boise State
11-11-00 L 38-66 at Boise State
9-28-02 L 38-63 at Boise State
11-18-06 L 10-49 at #13 Boise State
11-8-08 L 14-49 at #9 Boise State
12-4-10 L 14-50 at #9 Boise State
UTAH STATE IN DECEMBER -- For the first time since 1971, Utah State is playing two games in December, but the first time in America, as the 1971 squad played two games in Japan in December... Overall, USU has played in December a total of 18 times, posting a 6-12 in the 12th month, as Utah State's win at New Mexico State on Dec. 3 snapped a three-game losing skein in December... Saturday is USU's third game played on Dec. 17, going 1-1, but is 1-0 in bowl games on Dec. 17, as the Aggies' win over Ball State in the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl was on Dec. 17... USU is 3-5 in neutral games in December.
Dec. 9, 1922 - L, 6-7 at Arizona
Dec. 17, 1927 - L, 20-21 at Hawai'i
Dec. 7, 1946 - W, 28-14 at Denver
Dec. 13, 1947 - L, 21-35 vs. Pacific in Grape Bowl at Lodi, Calif.
Dec. 4, 1948 - L, 19-28 at San Diego State
Dec. 3, 1949 - L, 12-27 at Arizona State
Dec. 1, 1951 - L, 13-17 at New Mexico
Dec. 6, 1952 - L, 0-28 at New Mexico
Dec. 11, 1959 - W, 48-6 at Hawai'i
Dec. 31, 1960 - L, 13-20 vs. #17 New Mexico State in Sun Bowl at El Paso, Texas
Dec. 9, 1961 - L, 9-24 vs. Baylor in Gotham Bowl, New York, N.Y.
Dec. 19, 1971 - W, 50-6 vs. All-Japan in Silk Bowl at Tokyo, Japan
Dec. 26, 1971 - W, 46-6 vs. Japanese All-Stars at Osaka, Japan
Dec. 17, 1993 - W, 42-33 vs. Ball State in Las Vegas Bowl at Las Vegas, Nev.
Dec. 29, 1997 - L, 19-35 vs. Cincinnati in Humanitarian Bowl at Boise, Idaho
Dec. 1, 2001 - L, 21-70 at #21 Fresno State
Dec. 4, 2010 - L, 14-50 at #9 Boise State
Dec. 3, 2011 - W, 24-21 at New Mexico State
CATS GALORE -- USU may be feeling like its on Broadway watching the popular musical with as many Cats as the Aggies played this season, as Utah State is playing its fourth feline mascot this season... USU faced the Tigers of Auburn on Sept. 3, the Wildcats of Weber State on Sept. 10, the Cougars of BYU on Sept. 30 and now the Bobcats of Ohio on Saturday.
AGGIE-BOBCAT NOTE-ABLE -- The Aggies are the only team from the state of Utah that Ohio has faced... After not playing an "Aggies" mascot since 1994, Ohio is facing an Aggie team for the second time this season, opening and closing the season against Aggies, playing New Mexico State in the first game of the season and now the Aggies of Utah State on Saturday... Only one person associated with USU football was with the program the last time that USU and Ohio met, as Athletic Trainer Dale Mildenberger is in his 37th year at USU... Aggie senior LB Reuben Willis and Bobcat junior CB Mose Denton, are both from Lakewood, Calif., both went to high school at Mayfair HS and both went to El Camino JC... USU senior S Walter McClenton and Ohio junior DL Carl Jones are from Arlington, Texas, but went to different high schools, with McClenton going to Bowie HS while Jones went to Sam Houston HS... USU has only had two other shutouts since its 5-0 blanking of Ohio in 1994, logging a 42-0 win at UNLV in 1995 and a 49-0 victory vs. Arkansas State.
BUCKEYE STATE SUCCESS -- Utah State has historically had good success athletically in action involving the state of Ohio... USU golfer Jay Don Blake won the 1980 NCAA Championship, hosted by Ohio State at Columbus, Ohio, edging out future PGA'er Hal Sutton of Centenary in a playoff... The Aggie men's basketball team's last NCAA Tournament victory was in 2001 over Ohio State... Ohio State was the Aggies' opponent in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, with USU winning 95-89 on Dec. 1, 1970.
RARE 5 SPOT -- Utah State's five points scored in its 5-0 win over Ohio in 1994 in the team's lone meeting is the one and only time in 100 years that USU had a five in its spot on the scoreboard... However rare in the last 100 years of Aggie football, it was apparently quite common in USU's early years of football, as USU scored five points a total of 10 times, starting with its third season of football in 1898, even playing to a 5-all tie with Montana State in 1905, and scoring hanging a five-post on the board in back-to-back games in 1910.
BUSCH-SOLICH CORNHUSKER CONNECTION -- USU special teams coordinator/safeties coach Bill Busch began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Nebraska from 1990 to 1993, where he coached with current Ohio head coach Frank Solich on the Cornhuskers' staff under head coach Tom Osborne, when Solich was running backs coach.
USU VS. SOLICH -- USU 0-6 against a team with Solich coaching, as Solich beat USU twice while head coach at Nebraska, three times while running backs coach for the Cornhuskers and once while freshman coach for Nebraska:
Date Res Score Solich Position
9-15-79 L 14-35 Freshman coach
9-5-87 L 12-56 Running Backs Coach
9-3-88 L 13-63 Running Backs Coach
9-7-91 L 28-59 Running Backs Coach
9-7-02 L 13-44 Head Coach
9-6-03 L 7-31 Head Coach
CURRENT AGGIE COACHES VS. OHIO -- Two members of the Utah State coaching staff faced Ohio in previous positions, as Aggie wide receivers coach
Jovon Bouknight was a graduate assistant coach at Wyoming in 2008 when the Cowboys edged the Bobcats, 21-20... USU offensive line coach
T.J. Woods was an offensive lineman at Iowa State in 2001, helping the Cyclones beat the Bobcats, 31-28... Overall, members of the USU coaching staff were a combined 2-0 vs. Ohio in their previous roles.
Name Utah State Position Other Position Years
Jovon Bouknight Wide Receivers Wyoming Grad. Asst./WR 2008-W, 21-20
(1-0 vs. Ohio)
T.J. Woods Offensive Line Iowa State Player-OL 2001-W, 31-28
(1-0 vs. Ohio)
UTAH STATE-OHIO BY THE NUMB3R5 -- A closer look at note-ables about Saturday's Famous Idaho Potato Bowl match-up between the Aggies and Bobcats:
0 Players from the state of Ohio on USU's roster.
0 Players from the state of Utah on Ohio's roster.
0 Previous appearances by Ohio on the famous blue turf of Bronco Stadium.
0 Players from the state of Idaho on Ohio's roster.
1 Player from the state of Idaho on USU's roster in redshirting freshman WR
Jordan Storrs, who is from Boise, attending Captial HS.
1 Player on USU's roster who transferred from Boise State in redshirt-freshman
PK Jacob Haeuter, who is from nearby Ontario, Ore., and attended Ontario HS...
Haeuter went to Boise State for a semester as a redshirt, before transferring to USU.
1 Bowl win overall by USU, which came in 1997, last appearing vs. Cincinnati in
the same venue, the formerly-named Humanitarian Bowl.
1 Combined bowl victories between USU and Ohio in 11 bowl appearances,
as the Aggies are 1-5 while the Bobcats are 0-5.
1 Lakewood, Calif. native, Mayfair HS and El Camino JC product on each team's
roster as Aggie senior LB Reuben Willis and Bobcat junior CB Mose Denton,
are both from Lakewood, Calif., both went to high school at Mayfair HS and
both went to El Camino JC
1 Arlington, Texas native on each team as USU senior S Walter McClenton and
Ohio junior DL Carl Jones are from Arlington, Texas, but went to different high
schools, with McClenton going to Bowie HS while Jones went to Sam Houston HS.
1 State line crossed in traveling from Logan, Utah to Boise, Idaho.
2 Members of the Nebraska coaching staff from 1990-93, as USU special teams
coordinator/safeties coach Bill Busch began his coaching career as a
graduate assistant at Nebraska from 1990 to 1993, where he coached with
current Ohio head coach Frank Solich on the Cornhuskers' staff under head
coach Tom Osborne, when Solich was running backs coach.
2 Members of the Utah State coaching staff who have faced Ohio in previous
positions, as Aggie wide receivers coach Jovon Bouknight was a graduate
assistant coach at Wyoming in 2008 when the Cowboys edged the Bobcats,
21-20... USU offensive line coach T.J. Woods was an offensive lineman at Iowa
State in 2001, helping the Cyclones beat the Bobcats, 31-28.
5 Points scored by USU vs. Ohio in first, last and only meeting between the two
teams, as the Aggies beat the Bobcats, 5-0, on Sept. 17, 1994.
6 Previous meetings, and wins over USU by Ohio head coach Frank Solich, facing
the Aggies twice while head coach at Nebraska, three times while running
backs coach for the Cornhuskers and once while freshman coach for Nebraska.
7 Previous appearances by USU on the famous blue turf of Bronco Stadium.
8 State lines crossed in traveling from Athens, Ohio to Boise, Idaho.
10 Combined fumbles between the two teams in the 1994 meeting, thanks to
the poor weather conditions, with the Aggies having six fumbles while the
Bobcats had four, but each team only lost two fumbles each.
20 Total punts in the 1994 meeting, with USU kicking the ball away 11 times while
Ohio booted nine punts.
43 Players from the state of Utah on the Aggies' roster.
63 Players from the state of Ohio on the Bobcats' roster.
293 Miles from USU's Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium to Bronco Stadium in
Boise, Idaho.
363 Combined yards of total offense between the two teams in the rainy
conditions of the 1994 meeting.
1,762 Miles separating USU's Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium and Ohio's
Peden Stadium
2,064 Miles from Ohio's Peden Stadium to Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho.
UTAH STATE-OHIO LAST TIME: 1994
UTAH STATE 5, OHIO 0
September 17, 1994 • Athens, Ohio • Peden Stadium
ATHENS, Ohio - Utah State recorded its first shutout in 12 years in a 5-0 triumph over Ohio U. in rainy Athens. It also marked the Aggies' first non-conference road win in seven seasons. Both teams missed early scoring opportunities. Utah State's Travis Schow returned a fumble 27 yards to the Ohio U. 19 but two plays later, Profail Grier returned the favor. Donald Toomer's interception set up Micah Knorr's 45-yard field goal with 7:09 remaining in the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, Ohio U. had a 47-yard touchdown pass (Sam Vink to Jason Gross) called back because of a holding penalty. Late in the third quarter on second-and-nine from Ohio U. 12, Vink was sacked in the end zone for a safety by Pratt Lyons. Thanks to the poor weather conditions, the two teams combined for 10 fumbles.
Score By Quarters
Utah State 3 0 2 0 - 5
Ohio 0 0 0 0 - 0
Scoring Summary
1st 07:09 USU- Knorr, Micah 45 yd field goal
3rd 00:01 USU- Vink sacked in end zone for safety (Pratt Lyons, USU)
Attn: 5, 940
Team Statistics USU OHIO
First Downs 11 9
Rushing 57 99
Passing 123 84
Total Offense 180 183
Fumbles: Number-Lost 6-2 4-2
Penalties: Number-Yards 6-49 5-58
Punts-Yards/Avg. 11-440/40.0 9-345/38.3
Punt returns: No-Yds-TD/Avg. 4-20-0/5.0 2-18-0/9.0
Kickoff Returns: No-Yds-TD/Avg. 2-18-0/9.0 1-21-0/21.0
Interceptions: No-Yds-TD 2-3-0 1-0-0
Fumble Returns: No-Yds-TD 2-0-0 2-0-0
Possession Time 32:35 27:25
Third-Down Conversions 4 of 18 3 of 15
Individual Rushing
OHIO: Townsend 22-99, Ray 5-7, Pickens 1-1, Vink 5-(-8)
USU: Grier 24-46, Wilson 7-15, Wells 4-5, Flowers 7-(-9)
Individual Passing (C-A-I, Yds, TD)
OHIO: Vink 9-25-2 84, 0
USU: Wells 9-17-0 64, 0; Flowers 4-8-0 59, 0; Wilson 0-1-1, 0, 0
Individual Receiving
OHIO: Gayle 3-42, Goss 2-11, Townsend 2-3, Pickens 1-18, Ray 1-10
USU: Turner 5-36, Russell 4-34, Alexander 1-24, Thomas 1-19, Hamilton 1-7, Johnson
1-3
USU Punt Returns: Thomans 4-20-0
USU KO Returns: Hamilton 1-14-0, Alexander 1-4-0
USU Tackle Leaders: Jackson 9, Gill 8, Schow 6, McMillian 5, Waggoner 5
AGGIES LAST TIME IN A BOWL, AT HUMANITARIAN BOWL: 1997
CINCINNATI 35, UTAH STATE 19
Dec. 29, 1997 • Boise, Idaho • Bronco Stadium
BOISE, Idaho - Utah State spotted Cincinnati a 28-point advantage before scoring 19 of the game's final 26 points as the Aggies fell 35-19 in the first Humanitarian Bowl at Boise, Idaho on Dec. 29, 1997. The Aggies suffered through their second-lowest offensive output of the season in both scoring (16 at Oregon State) and yardage (283 vs.New Mexico) in the game. USU did not practice outdoors until the two days prior to the game as the Aggies worked out in the USU field house for the month between the end of the regular season and the bowl game due to inclement weather. That rustiness was evident as USU went scoreless in the first half as Cincinnati put up a 21-0 halftime advantage. USU warmed up in the second half scoring three touchdowns in an eight minute span, but the Aggies were controlled by a bigger, stronger Cincinnati team. Steve Smith earned USU MVP honors as hed had four receptions for 136 yards and a 75-yard touchdown, while also returning two punts for 26 yards and two kickoffs for 58 yards. The game was the final one for head coach John L. Smith, who had announced that he had taken the head coaching job at Louisville immediately after the final regular season game at North Texas.
Score By Quarters
Cincinnati 7 14 14 0 - 35
Utah State 0 0 13 6 - 19
Scoring Summary
1st 04:03 UC - Bonner 14 yd pass from Plummer (Judge kick)
2nd 14:12 UC - Bonner 14 yd pass from Kenner (Judge kick)
08:30 UC - Smith 1 yd rush (Judge kick)
3rd 08:39 UC - Plummer 15 yd rush (Judge kick)
07:31 USU - Smith 75 yard pass from Sauk (Bohn kick)
02:28 UC - O. Smith 7 yd rush (Judge kick)
00:29 USU - Blue 3 yd rush (Bohn kick failed)
4th 14:18 USU - Passey 10 yd fumble return (Sauk pass failed)
Attn: 16,131
Team Statistics UC OHIO
First Downs 23 15
Rushing 225 63
Passing 186 253
Total Offense 411 316
Fumbles: Number-Lost 2-1 1-1
Penalties: Number-Yards 7-84 3-13
Punts-Yards/Avg. 5-184/36.8 6-194/32.3
Kickoff Returns: No-Yds-TD/Avg. 3-71-0/23.7 2-58-0/29.0
Interceptions: No-Yds-TD 3-64-0 0-0-0
Fumble Returns: No-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0
Possession Time 42:17 17:43
Third-Down Conversions 14-of-22 2-of-10
Individual Rushing
UC: O. Smith 15-78, Plummer 15-53, Cooper 17-47, Smith 7-32, Royal 9-24, Ison 1-1,
Johnson 1-(-10)
USU: Brown 12-56, Smith 2-11, Blue 2-6, Sauk 4-(-10)
Individual Passing (A-C-I, Yds, TD)
UC: Kenner 10-16-0, 124, 1; Plummer 5-9-0, 62, 1
USU: Sauk 12-30-3, 253, 1
Individual Receiving
UC: Bonner 4-48, Collins-Baker 4-36, Plummer 4-64, Monroe 2-26, Royal 1-12
USU: Smith 4-136, Jenkins 4-80, Brown 3-29, Damuni 1-8
USU Punt Returns: Smith 2-26
USU KO Returns: Smith 2-58
USU Tackle Leaders: D'Amato 21, Carty 17, Miller 11, Sofonia 10
{SEE NOTES FOR COMPLETE BOWL HISTORY}
TURBIN NEW USU TOTAL TD RECORD HOLDER --
Junior RB Robert Turbin became Utah State's total touchdowns record holder with a TD in the LA Tech game, giving him 42 career TD's, passing Abu Wilson's 41 career total scores from 1992, 1994-96... Turbin is now just building on the record... Turbin has also broken into the WAC's Top 10 Total TD's list.
USU Career Touchdowns
No. Name Years No.
1. Robert Turbin 2007-09, 11 51
2. Abu Wilson 1992, 94-96 41
3. Tom Larscheid 1959-61 40
4. Demario Brown 1996-99 37
5. Emmett White 1998-01 32
6. Kevin Robinson 2004-07 29
7. Kendal Smith 1985-88 28
8. Rick Parros 1976-79 27
9. Tracy Jenkins 1988-91 22
10. Aaron Jones 1997-2000 21
Louie Giammona 1973-75 21
Roy Shivers 1964-65 21
WAC Career Touchdowns
1. 62 Marshall Faulk, SDSU, 1991-93
2. 60 Colin Kaepernick, NEV, 2007-10
3. 59 Ian Johnson, BSU, 2005-08
4. 54 LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU, 1997-00
5. 53 Vai Taua, NEV, 2007-10
6. 51 John Harvey, UTEP, 1985-88
51 Robert Turbin USU, 2007-09, 11
8. 49 Steve Bartalo, CSU, 1983-86
9. 48 Brock Forsey, BSU, 2001-02
10. 42 Ryan Yarborough, UW, 1990-93
42 Beau Morgan, AFA, 1994-96
TURBIN IS NEW USU CAREER POINTS SCORED RECORD HOLDER -- With 18 points scored in the Idaho game, Turbin broke former placekicker
Brad Bohn's school record of 284 career points from 1997-2000, and is now also just building on his records... He became just the 16th player in WAC history to reach 300 points.
USU Career Points Scored
No.Name Years Pts.
1. Robert Turbin 2007-09, 11 308
2. Brad Bohn 1997-2000 284
3. Tom Larscheid 1959-61 248
4. Abu Wilson 1992, 94-96 246
5. Demario Brown 1996-99 234
6. Steve Steinke 1977-80 204
7. Micah Knorr 1993-96 197
8. Emmett White 1998-01 194
9. Kevin Robinson 2004-07 182
10. Willie Beecher 1981-84 172
11. Rick Parros 1976-79 170
WAC Career Points Scored
1. 439 Kyle Brotzman, BSU, 2007-10
---
6. 369 Kevin Goessling, FS, 2008-pres.
7. 356 Ian Johnson, BSU, 2005-08
8. 338 Andy Trakas, SDSU, 1989-92
9. 335 Dan Kelly, UH, 2005-08
10. 324 LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU, 1997-00
11. 320 Vai Taua, NEV, 2007-10
12. 319 Sean Fleming, UW, 1988-91
13. 308 Robert Turbin, USU, 2007-09, 11
14. 306 John Harvey, UTEP, 1985-88
15. 302 Peter Holt, SDSU, 1993-96
16. 301 Cory Wedel, UW, 1994-97
TURBIN IS EIGHTH AGGIE TO 2,000 FOR CAREER / FIFTH TO 3K -- Junior RB
Robert Turbin became the 20th player in Utah State history to reach the 1,000 career rushing yards milestone in 2009, and only the eighth player in Aggie history to reach the 2,000 mark... Turbin hit the 2K mark as part of his 180-yard performance against Weber State on Sept. 10, 2011... Turbin became just the fifth Aggie running back with 3,000 career yards, reaching the 3K plateau in the Idaho game on Nov. 19, 2011... He is the first to 3,000 since Demario Brown (1996-99), who is the school-record holder with 4,053 rushing yards.
USU Career Rushing
No. Name Years Yds.
1. Demario Brown 1996-1999 4,053
2. Abu Wilson 1992, 94-96 3,933
3. Rick Parros 1976-79 3,537
4. Louie Giammona 1973-75 3,499
5. Robert Turbin 2007-09, 11 3,214
6. Emmett White 1998-01 2,791
7. Roger Grant 1990-91 2,387
8. Tom Larscheid 1959-61 2,206
9. Altie Taylor 1966-68 1,959
10. Jay Van Noy 1946-49 1,923
WAC Career Rushing
11. 3,563 John Harvey, UTEP, 1985-88
12. 3,515 Deonce Whitaker, SJSU, 1998-01
13. 3,466 Howard Jackson, UTEP, 2001-04
14. 3,431 Damon Washington, CSU, 1995-98
15. 3,379 Beau Morgan, AFA, 1994-96
16. 3,352 Daniel Porter, LTU, 2006-09
17. 3,335 Ron Harris, CSU, 1974-77
18. 3,332 Winslow Oliver, UNM, 1992-95
19. 3,313 Freddie Williams, ASU, 1973-76
20. 3,280 Ryan Mathews, FS, 2007-09
21. 3,218 Eddie Johnson, UU, 1984-86, 88
22. 3,214 Robert Turbin, USU, 2007-09, 11
23. 3,112 Ryan Moats, LTU, 2002-04
23. 3,040 Jamal Willis, BYU, 1991-94
24. 3,038 Keylon Kincade, SMU, 2000-03
25. 3,014 Luke Lippincott, NEV, 2004, 2006-09
TURBO-ING TO 1,000 YARDS RUSHING AND BEYOND --
Turbin is also climbing up several USU single-season marks, including the single-season 1,000-yard mark, a milestone he reached against San Jose State on Nov. 12 - Turbin also hit the 1,000-yard mark in 2009 against SJSU... He now has 1,416 for the season, marking the 15th time that an Aggie running back has reached the 1,000-yard mark, and passing his career-best mark of 1,296 from 2009... Turbin is the 10th different USU running back to reach the four-digit yardage mark... Turbin becomes just the fifth Aggie back to reach 1,000 yards in two seasons, joining Louie Giammona (1974, 1975),
Emmett White (2000, 2001), Rick Parros (1977, 1979) and Roger Grant (1990, 1991).
USU Single-Season Rushing Yardage
No. Yds. Year Name, Class No. Avg. TD
1. 1,536 1999 Demario Brown, Sr. 279 5.5 14
2. 1,534 1974 Louie Giammona, Jr. 329 4.7 8
3. 1,476 1995 Abu Wilson, Jr. 275 5.4 15
4. 1,454 1975 Louie Giammona, Sr. 303 4.8 11
5. 1,416 2011 Robert Turbin, JR. 186 6.8 19
6. 1,370 1990 Roger Grant, Jr. 266 5.2 8
7. 1,361 2001 Emmett White, Sr. 250 5.4 13
8. 1,322 2000 Emmett White, Jr. 242 5.5 13
9. 1,296 2009 Robert Turbin, So. 207 6.3 13
10. 1,236 1979 Rick Parros, Sr. 259 4.8 15
11. 1,150 1973 Archie Gibson, Sr. 216 5.3 3
12. 1,138 1965 Roy Shivers, Jr. 189 6.0 14
13. 1,135 1977 Rick Parros, So. 261 4.3 4
14. 1,044 1960 Tom Larscheid, Jr. 124 8.4 13
15. 1,017 1991 Roger Grant, Sr. 218 4.7 4
16. 971 1997 Demario Brown, So. 184 5.3 10
17. 967 2003 David Fiefia, Sr. 206 4.7 7
18. 966 1978 Rick Parros, Jr. 221 4.3 7
19. 947 1993 Profail Greer, So. 190 5.0 10
20. 929 1968 Altie Taylor, Sr. 203 4.6 8
21. 920 1956 Jack Hill, Sr. 140 6.6 14
USU Single-Season Rushing Touchdowns
No. Name, Class Year TD
1. Robert Turbin, JR. 2011 19
2. Abu Wilson, Sr. 1996 16
3. Abu Wilson, Jr. 1995 15
Rick Parros, Sr. 1979 15
5. Demario Brown, Sr. 1999 14
Jack Hill, Sr. 1956 14
Roy Shivers, Jr. 1965 14
8. Robert Turbin, So. 2009 13
Emmett White, Sr. 2001 13
Emmett White, Jr. 2000 13
Tom Larscheid, Jr. 1960 13
USU Single-Season Total Touchdowns
No. Name, Class Year TD
1. Robert Turbin, JR. 2011 23
2. Robert Turbin, So. 2009 18
3. Emmett White, Sr. 2001 16
Abu Wilson, Sr. 1996 16
Roy Shivers, Jr. 1965 16
5. Emmett White, Jr. 2000 15
Demario Brown, Sr. 1999 15
Abu Wilson, Jr. 1995 15
Jack Hill 1956 15
Tom Larscheid, Jr. 1960 15
Tom Larscheid, Sr. 1961 15
Rick Parros, Sr. 1979 15
USU Single-Season Scoring
No. Name, Class Year Pts.
1. Robert Turbin, JR. 2011 138
2. Robert Turbin, So. 2009 110
3. Jack Hill, Sr. 1956 105
4. Emmett White, Sr. 2001 98
Abu Wilson, Sr. 1996 96
Tom Larscheid, Sr. 1961 96
Roy Shivers, Jr. 1965 96
8. Tom Larscheid, Jr. 1960 92
9. Emmett White, Jr. 2000 90
Demario Brown, Sr. 1999 90
Abu Wilson, Jr. 1995 90
Nathan Morreale, Fr. 1993 90
Rick Parros, Sr. 1979 90
WAC Single-Season Scoring
1. 192 Brock Forsey, BSU, 2002
2. 152 Ian Johnson, BSU, 2006
3. 144 Paul Hewitt, SDSU, 1987
144 Marshall Faulk, SDSU, 1993
5. 141 Tyler Jones, BSU, 2004
6. 140 Marshall Faulk, SDSU, 1991
7. 138 Robert Turbin, USU, 2011
8. 136 George Jones, SDSU, 1995
9. 132 Calvin Branch, CSU, 1996
132 LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU, 2000
132 Tyler Jones, BSU, 2003
132 Chad Owens, UH, 2004
132 Vai Taua, NEV, 2010
TOUCHDOWN TIME FOR TURBIN -- Turbin is also climbing USU's career rushing TD list, as he now has 40 career TD's after his rushing score in the BYU game broke a tie with Tom Larscheid (1959-61) with 29 career TD's for sole possession of the No. 3 spot... Turbin is now tied for the No. 1 spot of 40, tying Abu Wilson (1992-94-96).
Career Rushing TD's
No.Name Years TD
1. Abu Wilson 1992, 94-96 40
Robert Turbin 2007-09, 11 40
3. Demario Brown 1996-99 37
4. Tom Larscheid 1959-61 29
5. Emmett White 1998-01 27
6. Rick Parros 1976-79 26
7. Louie Giammona 1973-75 21
8. Roy Shivers 1964-65 18
Diondre Borel 2007-10 18
9. Jack Hill 1956 14
10. Jerry Cox 1973-74 13
Jerry Hughes 1971-72 13
Altie Taylor 1966-68 13
WAC Career Rushing TD's
1. 59 Colin Kaerpenick, NEV, 2007-10
2. 58 Ian Johnson, BSU, 2005-08
3. 57 Marshall Faulk, SDSU, 1991-93
4. 54 LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU, 1997-00
5. 46 Steve Bartalo, CSU, 1983-86
6. 45 Vai Taua, NEV, 2007-10
7. 43 John Harvey, UTEP, 1985-88
8. 42 Beau Morgan, AFA, 1994-96
9. 41 Dee Dowis, AFA, 1986-89
10. 40 Robert Turbin, USU, 2007-09, 11
11. 39 Michael Carter, UH, 1991-93
39 Brock Forsey, BSU, 2001-02
39 Ryan Mathews, FS, 2007-09
OTHER TURBIN MARKS IN TOP 10 CAREER LIST -- Turbin is also moving up USU's career rushing attempts and career rushing average lists:
Career Rushing Attempts
No.Name Years Pts.
1. Demario Brown 1996-99 792
Abu Wilson 1992, 94-96 792
3. Rick Parros 1976-79 782
4. Louie Giammona 1973-75 756
5. Robert Turbin 2007-09, 11 545
6. Emmett White 1998-01 517
7. Roger Grant 1990-91 484
8. Altie Taylor 1966-68 415
9. Maurice Turner 1979-82 404
10. John Strycula 1969-71 401
11. Demetrius Brown 1986-89 383
Career Rushing Average
No.Name Years Avg.
(Minimum 150 Attempts)
1. Tom Larscheid 1959-61 7.0
2. MacArthur Lane 1965-67 6.9
3. Roy Shivers 1964-65 6.8
4. Buddy Allen 1958-59 6.4
5. Robert Turbin 2007-09, 11 5.9
6. Emmett White 1998-01 5.4
7. Archie Gibson 1972-73 5.2
8. Demario Brown 1996-99 5.1
9. Melvin Blue 1995-97 4.9
Abu Wilson 1992, 94-96 4.9
Richard Gwynn 1984-85 4.9
Roger Grant 1990-91 4.9
Altie Taylor 1966-68 4.9
TURBIN AMONG OTHER BACKS IN THE NATION --
Turbin has 15 career 100-yard rushing games, and had a streak of five in a row snapped in the LA Tech game, which was his longest streak of his career... Turbin's 15 career 100-yard games ranks among that nation's best active running backs:
Career 100-Yard Rushing Games
(active players through Dec. 3):
1. LaMichael James, Jr., Oregon 25
T2. *Montel Harris, Sr., Boston College 22
T2. Bobby Rainey, Sr., Western Kentucky 22
4. Lance Dunbar, Sr., North Texas 21
5. Chris Polk, Jr., Washington 20
6. Bernard Pierce, Jr., Temple 17
T7. Rodney Stewart, Sr., Colorado 16
T7. Zach Line, Jr., SMU 16
T7. Doug Martin, Sr., Boise State 16
T7. Alfred Morris, Sr, FAU 16
T11. Cyrus Gray, Sr., Texas A&M 15
T11. Ronnie Hillman, Soph., San Diego State 15
T11. Robert Turbin, JR., UTAH STATE 15
T14. Denard Robinson, Jr., Michigan 14
T15. David Wilson, Jr., Virginia Tech 13
T15. Trent Richardson, Jr., Alabama 13
T17. Stepfan Taylor, Jr., Stanford 12
T17. Robbie Rouse, Jr., Fresno State 12
T19. Rex Burkhead, Jr., Nebraska 11
T19. Asher Clark, Jr., Air Force 11
Four with 10
(*--Harris has a knee injury and is seeking a medical redshirt for the year).
WAGNER WAC PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF YEAR, MULTI-PRESEASON WATCH LIST MEMBER -- The media of the Western Athletic Conference voted on preseason players of the year, selecting USU senior linebacker
Bobby Wagner as the Defensive Player of the Year, while Hawai`i senior quarterback Bryant Moniz was voted the Offensive Player of the Year.
Wagner is the first USU player to earn a preseason WAC honor since the Aggies joined the league in 2005. It is Utah State's first conference preseason honor since 2004 when Ronald Tupea and Robert Watts were named to the Sun Belt preseason first-team all-conference team. The WAC does not have a preseason all-conference team.
Wagner is also on several preseason all-WAC teams as well as several award watch lists, including:
Butkus Award - nation's top linebacker
Rotary Lombardi Award - nation's top college lineman
Bronko Nagurski Award - nation's best defensive player
Wagner, a native of Ontario, Calif. (Colony HS) is a two-time first-team all-WAC honoree... Last season, he led the WAC and ranked tied for seventh in FBS with 11.1 tackles per game, ranking second in the WAC with 133 total tackles in 2010 season... In 2010, Wagner also tallied a WAC-best four 15+ tackle outings, including two 17-stop games, a 16-tackle game and a 15-tackle outing... On the season, he logged a total of seven double-digit tackle games, and had at least six stops in all 12 games... Additionally, Wagner added eight tackles for loss with half a sack, as well as four pass breakups and one forced fumble.
WAGNER WRANGLING WAY UP USU AND WAC TACKLE LIST -- Senior LB Bobby Wagner has 407 career tackles, becoming the 14th player in USU history to top the 300 stops mark and the first since former teammate Jake Hutton (328 career tackles, 2005-08)... He recently passed Hutton and now holds the No. 2 spot on both the USU list and WAC list, to become the third Aggie and the fourth WAC player since 1979 to reach the 400 tackle milestone:
USU Career Tackles
Tackles Years No.
(Since 1979)
1. Del Lyles 1988-91 446
2. Bobby Wagner 2008-pres. (140) 439
3. David Gill 1993-96 425
4. Jesse Busta 1999-2002 392
5. Brent Passey 1997-2000 386
6. Kevin Bouwmann 1987-1990 372
7. Pat McKenna 1979-82 359
8. Johndale Carty 1995-98 347
9. Jermaine Younger 1990-93 337
10. Jake Hutton 2005-08 328
WAC Career Tackles
Tackles Years No.
(Since 1999)
1. Robert Rodriguez, UTEP 2001-04 443
2. Bobby Wagner 2008-pres. (140) 439
3. Solomon Elimimian, UH 2005-07 434
4. Matt Castelo, SJSU 2004-07 433
5. Korey Hall, BSU 2003-06 394
6. Ben Jacobs, FS 2007-10 387
7. Shiloh Keo, UI 2006-10 358
8. Andy Avalos, BSU 2001-04 355
9. Antonio Baker, LTU 2006-09 352
10. Jake Hutton, USU 2005-08 328
(Number in parenthesis = `11 stats)
WAGNER THE WRANGLER ON SINGLE-SEASON LISTS -- Besides wrangling his way up Utah State's and the WAC's Career Tackles lists (left), senior LB
Bobby Wagner is also ascending both USU's and the WAC's Single-Season Tackles list, as he now has 134 tackles on the season, bettering his career-best mark of 133 stops last season:
USU Single-Season Tackles List
Rk Name, Class Year No.
1. Tony D'Amato, Sr. 1998 170
2. David Gill, Jr. 1995 168
3. Al Smith, Sr. 1986 166
4. David Gill, Sr. 1996 150
5. Brent Passey, Jr. 1999 142
6. Alfred Bettman, Sr. 1975 140
Bobby Wagner, Sr. 2011 140
8. Brian Longuevan, Jr. 1974 138
Al Smith, Jr. 1985 138
Donald Miller, Jr. 1987 138
Johndale Carty, So. 1996 138
WAC Single-Season Tackles List
Rk No. Name, School, Season
1. 179 Jimmy Cottrell, NMSU, 2005
2. 169 Jeff Ulbrich, UH, 1999
3. 165 Matt Castelo, SJSU, 2006
4. 151 Corey Paredes, UH, 2010
5. 149 Matt Griebel, NMSU, 2005
6. 148 David Vobora, UI, 2007
7. 141 Matt Castelo, SJSU, 2007
141 Solomon Elimimian, UH, 2007
9 140 Bobby Wagner, USU, 2011
10. 139 Cole Snyder, UI, 2005
WILLIAMS NEW USU AND WAC KICK RETURN RECORD HOLDER -- Kick returner/running back
Kerwynn Williams became the USU and WAC single-season kick return total yardage record holder, finishing the 2010 season with 1,444 yards, breaking the week-old WAC record of 1,410 by New Mexico State's Taveon Rogers... The previous record was 1,214 yards by Deonce Whitaker of San Jose State in 1998 before both Rogers and Williams broke it.
Williams also broke the WAC's Career Kick Return Yards record in the BYU game on Sept. 30, passing Cedric Johnson of UTEP's record of 2,782 yards from 1993-96.
Williams had 53 kick returns last season, also breaking the WAC and NCAA (FBS) records also set by Rogers last season of 51.
Now with 3,349 career kick return yards, Williams established a new conference record in career kick return yards, passing Cedric Johnson of UTEP's record of 2,782 yards from 1993-96.
Williams is currently USU's career record holder for kick return average, as well as moving up on USU's single-game kick return average list and the career all-purpose yardage list... Williams joined Kevin Robinson as the only Aggie kick returners to surpass the 1,000-kick return yardage milestone and Williams has now topped the 1k mark twice.
USU Single Season Kick Return Yards
Year No. Yds.
1. Kerwynn Williams, So. 2010 53 1,444
2. Kevin Robinson, Sr. 2007 43 1,260
3. Kerwynn Williams, Fr. 2009 45 1,131
USU Single Season Kick Return Average
Name Year Ret.
1. Overton Curtis, Jr. 1957 30.2
2. Kevin Robinson, Sr. 2007 29.3
Tony Pennyman, Jr. 2005 29.3
4. Jerome Dennis, So. 2002 27.7
5. Kerwynn Williams, So. 2010 27.2
6. Floyd Foreman, Sr. 1991 27.0
7. Brett Payne, So. 1987 26.0
8. Louie Giammona, So. 1973 25.8
9. Dexter Pointer, Jr. 1990 25.6
10. Tony Walker, Fr. 1998 25.3
11. Kerwynn Williams, Fr. 2009 25.1
Kevin Robinson, Fr. 2004 25.1
WILLIAMS NINTH-BEST SINGLE-SEASON ALL-PURPOSE MARK IN WAC -- With 2,042 all-purpose yards last season (1,444 kick return, 451 rush, 110 receiving, 37 punt return), Kerwynn Williams holds the No. 9 spot on the WAC's Single-Season All-Purpose list, the most in the WAC since USU's Kevin Robinson amassed 2,317 all-purpose yards in 2007.
WAC Single-Season All-Purpose
No. Yards Name, School, Years
1. 16,916 Timmy Chang, UH, 2000-04
1. 2,591 Bernard Berrian, FS, 2001
2. 2,317 Kevin Robinson, USU, 2007
3. 2,198 LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU, 2000
4. 2,174 Marshall Faulk, SDSU, 1993
5. 2,146 Howard Jackson, UTEP, 2003
6. 2,138 Terance Mathis, UNM, 1989
7. 2,127 Brock Forsey, BSU, 2002
8. 2,086 Charles Pauley, SJSU, 2002
9. 2,042 Kerwynn Williams, USU, 2010
10. 2,036 Carl Monroe, UU, 1982
USU Career Kick Return Average
Years Avg.
1. Dexter Pointer 1990 25.6
2. Kerwynn Williams 2009-pres. 25.3
3. Kevin Robinson 2004-07 25.2
4. Jerome Dennis 2001-04 24.9
5. Floyd Foreman 1990-91 24.1
USU Career All-Purpose Yardage
All-Purpose Yards Years Yds.
1. Kevin Robinson 2004-07 6,479
2. Emmett White 1998-01 5,872
3. Kendal Smith 1985-88 5,266
--- Kerwynn Williams 2009-pres. 4,641
WAC Career All-Purpose Yardage
Name, School Years Yds.
1. Terance Mathis, UNM 1985-87, 89 6,691
2. LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU 1997-00 6,337
3. Howard Jackson, UTEP 2001-04 6,153
4. Steve Bartalo, CSU 1983-86 5,982
5. Phillip Livas, LTU 2007-10 5,738
6. Deonce Whitaker, SJSU 1998-01 5,596
7. Marshall Faulk, SDSU 1991-93 5,562
8. Chad Owens, UH 2001-04 5,461
9. Bernard Berrian, FS 1999-03 5,429
10. Winslow Oliver, UNM 1992-95 5,375
11. Kevin Robinson, USU 2005-07 5,169
Patrick Jackson, LTU 2005-08 5,169
Vai Taua, NEV 2007-10 5,169
14. Chris Williams, NMSU 2005-08 4,985
15. Ian Johnson, BSU 2005-08 4,952
16. Titus Young, BSU 2007-10 4,938
17. Marcus Harris, UW 1993-96 4,734
18. Darnay Scott, SDSU 1991-93 4,658
19. Kerwynn Williams, USU 2009-pres. 4,641
20. Jamal Willis, BYU 1991-94 4,435
WAC Career Kick Return Yards
Name, School Year Ret.
1. Kerwynn Williams, USU 2009-pres. 3,392
2. Cedric Johnson, UTEP 1993-96 2,782
NCAA (FBS) Single Season Kick Return Yards
Name, School Year Ret.
1. Kerwynn Williams, USU 2010 1,444
2. Taveon Rogers, NMSU 2010 1,410
3. Damaris Johnson, Tulsa 2008 1,382
THOMPSON KICKING TO SINGLE-SEASON PAT RECORD -- Sophomore PK
Josh Thompson set a new USU single-season PAT record with his record-tying and record-setting PAT's coming in the San Jose State game and he continues to build on his record:
USU Single Season Extra Points Made
No. Name, Class Year No.
1. Josh Thompson, So. 2011 54
2. Brad Bohn, Fr. 1997 39
Steve Steinke, Jr. 1979 37
4. Micah Knorr, Sr. 1996 36
5. Dane Kidman, Jr. 2001 35
Doug Beach, So. 1990 35
7. Dane Kidman, Sr. 2002 33
Michael Doyle, Sr. 1972 33
Nathan Morreale, Fr. 1993 33
10. James Turner, Jr. 1961 30
11. Peter Caldwell, Sr. 2010 28
Brad Bohn, Sr. 2000 28
Sean Jones, Sr. 1992 28
Chris Pella, Sr. 1964 28
USU Single Season Extra Points Attempted
No. Name, Class Year Att.
1. Josh Thompson, So. 2011 55
2. Brad Bohn, Fr. 1997 43
3. Dane Kidman, Jr. 2001 39
Steve Steinke, Jr. 1979 39
5. Micah Knorr, Sr. 1996 37
Michael Doyle, Sr. 1972 37
7. James Turner, Jr. 1961 36
8. Dane Kidman, Sr. 2002 35
Doug Beach, So. 1990 35
10. MacArthur Lane, So. 1965 34
Nathan Morreale, Fr. 1993 34
Chris Pella, Sr. 1964 34
USU Single Season Extra Point Percentage
(Minimum 20 made)
No. Name, Class Year Pct.
(Minimum 20 Made)
1. Peter Caldwell, Sr. 2010 1.000
Peter Caldwell, Fr. 2007 1.000
Doug Beach, So. 1990 1.000
Willie Beecher, So. 1982 1.000
Tom Mayes, Jr. 1975 1.000
Steve Steinke, So. 1978 1.000
5. Josh Thompson, So. 2011 .981
6. Micah Knorr, Sr. 1996 .973
7. Nathan Morreale, Fr. 1993 .971
8. Justin Hamblin, Fr. 2003 .952
9. Steve Steinke, Jr. 1979 .949
10. Dane Kidman, Sr. 2002 .943
11. Sean Jones, Sr. 1992 .933
AGGIE NOTES FROM LAST GAME
at NEW MEXICO STATE - Dec. 3 --
-- Utah State has seven wins in a season for the first time since 1993, when the Humanitarian Bowl win was the Aggies' seventh of the season.
-- It is USU's first seven-win regular season since 1979, when the Aggies were 7-3-1.
-- Overall, it is USU's 21st time in 113 seasons of football of having at least seven wins.
-- It is Utah State's fifth win in a row, the Aggies' first five-game win streak since 1993.
-- The Aggies' improve to 5-2, USU's most WAC wins in the seven years in the league, and the best conference mark since a 4-1 Big West record in 2000 and first five conference win season since 1993.
-- Saturday was USU's third-straight road win, the first three-game win streak away from home, winning the last two road games of the regular-season and the Las Vegas Bowl.
-- The Aggies' 392 rushing yards was a FBS-opponent season high behind the 440 vs. Weber State.
-- Saturday was the 11th-best rushing output in school history.
-- With 392 rushing yards, it gives USU 3,330 rushing yards on the season, a new school record, bettering the previous mark of 3,120 set in 1960.
-- Saturday was USU's ninth game this season decided by one score. The nine games is tied for most in the country for one-score games, tied with Kansas State.
-- It was Utah State's fourth win this season with less than a minute or no time on the clock, joining the Aggies' wins at Hawai'i, at Idaho and home vs. San Jose State. The TD with 35 seconds left ranks No. 10 in USU's last-minutes game-winning scores since 1991 list. It was also Utah State's second last-minute win over New Mexico State in that span, as USU beat NMSU, 45-44 in OT in 2002.
-- Saturday's win was the Aggies' first on grass in three games (Auburn and BYU.
-- Saturday's captains were #9 SR LB Bobby Wagner and #6 JR RB Robert Turbin.
-- Senior LB Bobby Wagner made his 39th-consecutive start and made his 44th start overall, leading USU in both departments.
-- Junior RB Robert Turbin started for the 35th time of his career, but 12th since the 2009 season-finale after missing the entire 2010 season with an injury.
-- Sophomore DE Conner Williams made his first career start.
-- Senior WR Stanley Morrison's first-quarter reception was Morrison's 36th-straight game with a catch, extending his WAC-best streak.
-- Senior WR Eric Moats also now has at least one catch in 11 of last 12 games and 32 of 35 games played in career.
-- The second-quarter TD toss from junior QB Adam Kennedy to junior RB Robert Turbin marks the sixth-straight game with a TD pass for the USU offense.
-- It was Kennedy's eighth TD pass this season
-- Turbin caught his fourth TD catch of the year and 11th of his career.
-- Turbin now has 51 total TD's for his career, moving to a tie for No. 6 on the WAC's Career Total TD list, tying John Harvey (1985-88) of nearby UTEP with 51... Turbin also passed Harvey on the WAC's Career Points List for the No. 13 spot as Turbin now has 308 career points, passing Harvey's 306.
-- Junior WR Matt Austin now has at least one catch in 13-straight games.
-- Senior LB Kyle Gallagher snared his first INT of not only the season, but his career as well.
-- USU now has three interceptions on the season, and all three are by linebackers, as Wagner leads the team with two oskies.
-- After trailing at halftime in three of the last four games, winning all three games, USU led at intermission for the eighth time this season, and is now 3-5 when doing so.
-- Saturday was just the second time this season that USU was held scoreless in the third quarter, joining the Fresno State game.
-- USU was tied after three quarters for the third time this season and the navy Aggies are now 2-1.
-- Senior RB Michael Smith's 121 rushing yards were a new career-high.
-- The three TD passes by Adam Kennedy were a season-high and his fourth multi-TD pass outing in the last five games.
-- USU is now:
---- 7-5 overall and 5-2 in the WAC
---- 29-7 overall vs. NMSU including 16-3 at Las Cruces
---- 37-18 record against teams from New Mexico
---- 19-11 in games played on New Mexico soil
---- 6-12 in December
---- 1-1 in games played on Dec. 3
---- 6-4 in last 10 season-finales, winning six of last eight
---- 46-65-3 all-time in season-finales
USU FOOTBALL'S GALLAGHER GARNERS WAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS -- Utah State football player Kyle Gallagher has been named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in USU's win over New Mexico State Saturday, an award selected and announced by the conference office on Dec. 5.
Gallagher, a senior linebacker from Woodland, Calif. (Woodland HS), was playing with his broken left hand heavily bandaged, but snared his first career interception to thwart New Mexico State's scoring drive late in the first half, and posted five tackles, helping USU to another nail-biting victory with a 24-21 thriller at New Mexico State on Saturday. NMSU got the ball with 1:33 left in the first half and drove down to the USU 1-yardline with 18 seconds left. Facing a third-and-goal, NMSU threw a pass toward the endzone, but Gallagher snared it at the USU 2, keeping the score 14-7 in USU's favor at intermission.
The interception by Gallagher was the USU defense's third of the season, and up to that point, all three had been by linebackers until cornerback Nevin Lawson sealed the win with an interception on NMSU's final possession after USU scored with 35 seconds left, as the USU's defense doubled its season interception total Saturday.
USU FOOTBALL'S KENNEDY COLLECTS NATIONAL ACCOLADES, UTAH STATE STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE WEEK HONORS -- Adam Kennedy collected a pair of national accolades for his performance in helping USU to a thrilling 24-21 win over New Mexico State on Saturday. The Aggies' junior quarterback was named the College Sports Madness Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, while College Football Performance Awards tabbed Kennedy an honorable mention quarterback of the week. Kennedy was also named the America First Credit Union Utah State Student-Athlete of the Week, for the period ending Sunday, Dec. 4, an award that is voted on by a state-wide media panel.
Kennedy, a junior from Elk Grove, Calif. (Franklin HS/San Joaquin Delta College) was 12-of-16 passing for 123 yards with career-high three TD's, and added a career-best 95 yards rushing on 15 carries, in leading USU to another nail-biting victory with a 24-21 thriller at New Mexico State on Saturday. Kennedy nearly matched his rushing total of the season entering Saturday, as he had 133 yards rushing in his previous action. Three of his rushes came on USU's game-winning drive, including a 2-yard run on a 4th-and-1 from the NMSU 14-yard line on an option play that he made the first down by inches to keep the drive and USU's chances for a win alive. Two plays later, he hit junior wide receiver Matt Austin for the second time on the day with an 8-yard TD toss with 35 seconds left for the game-winning score. Kennedy's three TD passes marks his fourth multi-TD passing outing in the last five games.
AGGIE FOOTBALL'S WAGNER GARNERS WAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF WEEK ACCOLADE -- Utah State football player Bobby Wagner has been named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in USU's win over Nevada on Nov. 26, the Aggies' fourth-straight win and making USU bowl eligible for the first time since 1997 with the Aggies' sixth win of the season, their first six-win ledger since 1997. The senior linebacker was also selected as the America First Credit Union Utah State Student-Athlete of the Week for the period ending Sunday, Nov. 27, an award that is voted on by a state-wide media panel.
Wagner, a native of Ontario, Calif. (Colony HS), posted a game-high 15 tackles, including half a tackle for loss, and recovered a fumble. Wagner's fumble recovery came on a 4th-and-1 play from the USU 12 with just over five minutes left, as Nevada was driving for the go-ahead score. Wolf Pack QB Tyler Lantrip ran an option play, and had the first down, but was stripped of the football and Wagner recovered the thwart the threat.
With 15 tackles Saturday, Wagner moved up to second on the USU career tackles list with 433. Wagner is also now tied for third with San Jose State's Matt Castelo (2004-07) in career tackles in the WAC. Wagner now has nine double-digit tackle outings this season and 23 for his career.
On Sunday, Wagner was recognized by College Sports Madness as its WAC Defensive Player of the Week.
Wagner, who leads the WAC and ranks third in Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), collects his first WAC Defensive Player of the Week honors this season. It is his second weekly WAC honor of his career, earning it last season on Nov. 8, 2010.
It is Utah State's four weekly WAC honor this season, as junior running back Robert Turbin collected the offensive accolade last week while freshman quarterback Chuckie Keeton earned the honor on Oct. 10 and junior wide receiver Stanley Morrison earned the conference Special Teams Player of the Week on Nov. 7.
Wagner's honor is Utah State's 13th WAC weekly award in the Aggies' seven seasons in the league. It is also the fifth defensive award collected, joining Calderwood's Oct. 9, 2006 and Dec. 1, 2008 honors as well as Paul Igboeli's Nov. 3, 2008 honors and Wagner's award last year on Nov. 8, 2010.
This is also Wagner's first USU weekly honor of the season and the sixth this season for an Aggie football player to earn the weekly honor. Turbin has collected the award three times (Sept. 12, Oct. 3 and Nov. 21) while Keeton was the recipient on Sept. 5 and Oct. 10.
USU FOOTBALL'S WAGNER NAMED COLLEGE SPORTS MADNESS WAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK -- Utah State football player Bobby Wagner has been recognized by College Sports Madness as its Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his exceptional performance in Saturday's Aggie win over Nevada, making USU bowl eligible for the first time since 1997 with the Aggies' sixth win of the season, their first six-win ledger since 1997.
Wagner posted a game-high 15 tackles, including half a tackle for loss, and recovered a fumble. Wagner's fumble recovery came on a 4th-and-1 play from the USU 12 with just over five minutes left, as Nevada was driving for the go-ahead score. Wolf Pack QB Tyler Lantrip ran an option play, and had the first down, but was stripped of the football and Wagner recovered the thwart the threat.
With 15 tackles Saturday, Wagner moved up to second on the USU career tackles list with 433. Wagner is also now tied for third with San Jose State's Matt Castelo (2004-07) in career tackles in the WAC. Wagner now has nine double-digit tackle outings this season and 23 for his career.
TURBIN EARNS SEVERAL NATIONAL AWARDS FOR PERFORMANCE -- Utah State football player Robert Turbin's performance in USU's wild 49-42 double overtime win over Idaho on Nov. 19 garnered several national honors for the junior running back. Turbin was named the National Running Back of the Week by collegefootballperformance.com, the Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness and was nominated for the Running Back Performance of the Year by Intersport.
Turbin, a native of Fremont, Calif. (Irvington HS), rushed for a career-high 208 yards with three TD's, including two in OT, with the second being the game-winner in USU's wild 49-42 double OT win at Idaho Saturday. The 208 is the second-most in the most in the WAC this season, one yard behind the top spot, and Turbin now has two of the top five rushing outings on the year. Turbin scored his first TD on an 80-yard scamper on USU's fourth possession of the game, giving the Aggies a 21-7 lead. After Idaho forced OT and scored first, Turbin scored his second TD of the day on a 1-yard plunge on fourth-and-goal to force the second OT. USU got the ball first in the second extra session and Turbin hit the endzone from 3-yards out and USU's defense intercepted Idaho's fourth-and-goal play to seal the win.
Turbin went over 3,000 yards for his career and broke USU's single-season rushing TD, single-season total TD, single-season scoring and the Aggies' career scoring records. The 208 rushing yards made Turbin the Aggies' first 200-yard rusher since Emmett White had 233 vs. Weber State in 2001.
TURBIN TABBED WAC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK -- Utah State football player Robert Turbin was named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in USU's wild 49-42 double overtime win over Idaho Saturday, an honor selected and announced by the conference office Monday. The junior running back was also selected as the America First Credit Union Utah State Student-Athlete of the Week for the period ending Sunday, Nov. 20, an award that is voted on by a state-wide media panel.
On Sunday, Turbin garnered several national honors for his performance. Turbin was named the National Running Back of the Week by collegefootballperformance.com, the Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness and was nominated for the Running Back Performance of the Year by Intersport.
Turbin, a native of Fremont, Calif. (Irvington HS), rushed for a career-high 208 yards with three TD's, including two in OT, with the second being the game-winner in USU's wild 49-42 double OT win at Idaho Saturday. The 208 is the second-most in the most in the WAC this season, one yard behind the top spot, and Turbin now has two of the top five rushing outings on the year. Turbin scored his first TD on an 80-yard scamper on USU's four possession of the game, giving the Aggies a 21-7 lead. After Idaho forced OT and scored first, Turbin scored his second TD of the day on a 1-yard plunge on fourth-and-goal to force the second OT. USU got the ball first in the second extra session and Turbin hit the endzone from 3-yards out and USU's defense intercepted Idaho's fourth-and-goal play to seal the win.
Turbin went over 3,000 yards for his career and broke USU's single-season rushing TD, single-season total TD, single-season scoring and the Aggies' career scoring records. The 208 rushing yards made Turbin the Aggies' first 200-yard rusher since Emmett White had 233 vs. Weber State in 2001. Turbin's 208 yards is tied for No. 18 on USU's top rushing outings, matching Rick Parros who had 208 yards against Weber State on Nov. 17, 1979.
This is Turbin's second career WAC Offensive Player of the Week honor, earning the accolade on Nov. 30, 2009, also after a record performance at Idaho, as he scored five TD's in USU's 52-49 shootout win over Idaho, snapping the Aggies' 12-game road losing streak. The five TD's tied a USU record, last done by Jack Hill with five rushing TD's vs. Drake in 1956.
FILIMOEATU NAMED HONORABLE MENTION COLLEGEFOOTBALLPERFORMANCE.COM DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK --
Utah State football's Bojay Filimoeatu was named an honorable mention national Defensive Lineman of the Week by collegefootballperformance.com for his performance in USU's wild 49-42 double OT win over Idaho on Nov. 19.
Filimoeatu, a native of West Valley City, Utah (Granger HS/Mt. San Antonio JC) had a forced fumble and recovered the ball, registering his first forced and recovered fumble of his USU career.
KOSKAN GARNERS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FROM COLLEGEFOOTBALLPERFORMANCE.COM --
Utah State football player Levi Koskan was named an honorable mention national Defensive Lineman of the Week by collegefootballperformance.com for his performance in USU's 34-33 comeback win over San Jose State on Nov. 12.
Koskan, a senior from Smithfield, Utah (Sky View HS), recorded a defensive trifecta, with a sack, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble all on the same play, on San Jose State quarterback Matt Faulkner, giving USU the ball at its own 11. The Aggies punched it in to pull within 20-14 with 9:45 left in the third quarter as USU rallied from down 33-21 to win 34-33. It was USU's second win in as many weeks in rallying from down double digits and scoring the game-winner in the final minute of the game.
MORRISON NAMED WAC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK -- Utah State football player Stanley Morrison was named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in USU's comeback win at Hawai`i, on Nov. 5, as selected and announced Nov. 7 by the conference office... Morrison's honor is Utah State's first conference special teams award since kick returner Kevin Robinson on Sept. 24, 2007... Overall, it is the Aggies' fifth WAC special teams honor, including getting three in 2005, as kick and punt returner Tony Pennyman earned the award twice, on Sept. 26 and Nov. 21 of 2005, sandwiched around Robinson collecting the accolade on Oct. 10, 2005... Morrison, a senior wide receiver from Denison, Texas (Denison HS), successfully executed not one, but two fake punts to keep drives alive for USU, one of which resulted in a TD as part of the Aggies' 28 second-half points to overcome a 28-7 first half deficit for a wild 35-31 win over the Warriors of Hawai`i for USU's first win at Honolulu since 1966... On a 4th-and-4 play in the second quarter, Morrison had an eight-yard gain to keep USU's drive alive, but it later stalled... However, in the third quarter, Morrison again was the key cog in a fake punt, passing to Joe Hill for a 23-yard gain on 4th-and-5, on a tipped pass by teammate Bobby Wagner that Hill corralled for the first down... Three plays later, USU scored a TD to pull within 31-21 with 2:16 left in the third frame... Morrison also had his first 100-yard receiving outing of the season with two catches for 105 yards, including a 71-yard TD catch in which he made a spectacular catch between two UH defenders, and then dashed to the endzone... It was Morrison's second career 100-yard outing. Morrison's 105 yards receiving was his first 100-yard receiving outing of the season, becoming USU's first 100-yard receiver this season and the Aggies' first since TE Kellen Bartlett had five catches for 121 yards last year at Nevada... It was Morrison's second career 100-yard game, joining his career-best 126-yard receiving outing at Texas A&M in 2009... The 71-yard TD catch was the second-longest of Morrison's career, behind a 75-yarder at Idaho in 2009... The 71-yard TD catch was his second scoring catch of the season and fifth of his career... Morrison now has at least one catch in 32-straight games, which leads the WAC... This is Morrison's first WAC Player of the Week award of his career, and is the Aggies' second this season, as freshman quarterback Chuckie Keeton garnered the Offensive Player of the Week honor on Oct. 10.
USU FOOTBALL'S WAGNER AND HAUETER EARN NATIONAL RECOGNITION FROM COLLEGEFOOTBALLPERFORMANCE.COM -- Utah State football players Bobby Wagner and Jacob Haueter were both recognized by collegefootballperformance.com for their performance in the Aggies' 24-17 loss to Louisiana Tech on Oct. 22. Wagner was named an honorable mention national Linebacker of the Week, while Haueter was tabbed an honorable mention Kickoff Specialist of the Week.
Both Wagner and Haeuter's hometowns are Ontario, with Wagner being from Ontario, Calif., while Haueter hails from Ontario, Ore.
Wagner, a senior linebacker from Ontario, Calif. (Colony HS), posted a career-high 20 tackles, which included two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Wagner also had two quarterback hurries in the game. It was Wagner's sixth double-digit tackle outing in the Aggies' seven games and he now has 20 career games with double-figure stops. Wagner's 20 stops gives him 388 for his career, moving up to No. 4 on USU's Career Tackles list and No. 5 on the WAC's Career Tackles list. On the season, Wagner is tops in the WAC and third in FBS in tackles at 12.7 per game.
Haueter, a freshman placekicker from Ontario, Ore. (Ontario HS/Boise State), booted four kickoffs for a 69.5 ypko average, with two touchbacks.
USU'S BRADY NAMED HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSIVE BACK OF THE WEEK -- Utah State football player McKade Brady has been recognized by collegefootballperformance.com as an honorable mention national Defensive Back of the Week, for his performance in USU's 31-21 loss at Fresno State on Oct. 15.
Brady, a junior safety from Cove, Utah (Sky View HS/BYU), had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery on two different plays, to go with four tackles, including half a tackle for loss. Brady registered his first career fumble recovery by recovering a FS fumble in the first quarter and his forced fumble in the second quarter was the second of his career.
AGGIES' KEETON NAMED WAC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK, NATIONAL RECOGNITION -- Utah State football quarterback Chuckie Keeton was named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 10 for his school-record tying performance in USU's 63-19 win over Wyoming on Oct. 8.
Keeton has been recognized with a pair of national honors. Keeton was acknowledged by collegefootballperformance.com as an honorable mention national Quarterback of the Week, while also being named by College Sports Madness as the Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his school-record tying performance in USU's 63-19 win over Wyoming.
In addition to the WAC award, Keeton was also named the Utah State America First Credit Union Student-Athlete of the Week for the period ending Sunday, Oct. 9, an award that is voted on by a state-wide media panel.
Keeton, a freshman from Houston, Texas (Cypress Creek HS), completed 16-of-21 passes for 228 yards and a school-record tying five touchdowns in Utah State's 63-19 win against Wyoming. He also added 44 rushing yards on four carries. All five touchdown passes came in the first half as Utah State scored on its first eight possessions of the game.
With the five TD's, Keeton becomes the fourth different Aggie QB to hit the school record, and the sixth time, as Keeton is the first since Anthony Calvillo threw for five scores against BYU in 1993. Calvillo (1993 and 1992) and Tony Adams (1972) had accomplished the feat twice each while Brent Snyder reached it once (1987).
Keeton's five TD's in the game more than doubled his season-total of four entering the game. Behind Keeton, the Aggie offense scored on its first eight possessions of the game, on the way to 42 first-half points, the most in an opening half since at least 1991, as part of the 63 total points. The 63 points scored are its most since winning at Idaho, 63-17, on Oct. 25, 1997, while its 44-point margin of victory is its largest since defeating New Mexico State at home, 47-2, on Nov. 29, 2008.
WILLIAMS COLLECTS PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WEEKLY HONOR ROLL ACCOLADE -- Utah State junior football player Kerwynn Williams is one of three players named to the Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll on Oct. 10. The weekly recognition honors versatile, single-game performances around the nation by FBS student-athletes, and Williams is joined by Eric Page of Toledo and David Wilson of Virginia Tech.
The Paul Hornung Award, presented by Texas Roadhouse, is awarded annually to the most versatile player in major college football. Fans can now vote online at www.votepaulhornung.com for the finalist for the 2011 award.
All three weekly honorees are members of the Paul Hornung Award Watch List. Page is being honored for the fourth time this season while Williams and Wilson each earned their first Hornung weekly recognition of the year.
Williams, a native of Las Vegas, Nev. (Valley HS), had a season-high 232 all-purpose yards in Utah State's 63-19 win over Wyoming on Saturday, totalling 125 kick return yards, including a season-best 54-yard return that set up USU's first TD of the night. Williams also had a 22-yard punt return to set up the Aggies' sixth TD of the first half, as well as adding 55 rushing yards and 30 receiving yards.
USU'S TURBIN TABBED HONORABLE MENTION NATIONAL RUNNING BACK OF WEEK BY COLLEGEFOOTBALLPERFORMANCE.COM -- Utah State football player Robert Turbin was recognized by collegefootballperformance.com as honorable mention Running Back of the Week on Oct. 2.
Turbin, a junior from Fremont, Calif. (Irvington HS), rushed for 123 yards including an 80-yard touchdown burst on the first offensive play of the game, in USU's 27-24 loss at BYU on Friday night. He added two catches for 22-yards on the night, including a 24-yard TD reception. Turbin now has at least two TD's in all four of USU's games this season, and has at least one rushing TD in last nine games played. Friday was Turbin's third-straight 100-yard game and 11th of his career, one of 14 active players in FBS with at least 10 career 100-yard games.
Turbin's 80-yard first-quarter TD was his fourth-career TD run over 50+ yards and the second-longest of his career behind the 96-yarder at Utah in 2009. Turbin now has 30 career rushing TD's, taking over sole possession of the No. 3 spot on USU's Career Rushing list, breaking a tie with Tom Larscheid (1959-61) and are the most by an Aggie since Demario Brown (1996-99) had 37. Turbin also passed Lascheid's 2,206 career rushing yards, and now has 2,285 with his 123 yards Friday.
This is the third national honorable mention award by collegefootballperformance.com for Turbin this season, also earning it after the Weber State and Colorado State games.
AGGIES' TURBIN AND KOSKAN RECOGNIZED BY COLLEGEFOOTBALLPERFORMANCE.COM -- Utah State football players Robert Turbin and Levi Koskan were recognized by collegefootballperformance.com with honorable mention awards for their respective positions for their performances in USU's heartbreaking, 36-35 double overtime Homecoming loss to Colorado State on Sept. 24. Turbin was tabbed to the honorable mention Running Back of the Week list while Koskan collected honorable mention Defensive End of the Week accolades.
Turbin, a junior from Fremont, Calif. (Irvington HS), rushed for a career-high four TD's as part of his 115 yard rushing outing. Turbin scored on a 3-yard scamper in the third-quarter, then a 1-yard plunge in the fourth-quarter with 4:56 left in regulation to give USU a 21-13 lead. After CSU forced overtime, Turbin scored on the Aggies' possession in the first frame on a 9-yard scamper. The Rams scored to force a second extra sessions and opened the scoring in the second frame with a TD and PAT. Turbin darted in from 25-yards out on USU's second possession, but was stopped on the two-point conversion, denying USU the win.
It was Turbin's 10th career 100-yard rushing outing, as he is one of 13 active players in Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with double-digit career 100-yard games.
Koskan a senior from Smithfield, Utah (Sky View HS), posted three tackles for loss including two sacks Saturday night, finishing night with five total tackles. His three TFL's were for 29 yards, with 14 of those coming on his two sacks.
USU'S BENNETT AND TURBIN HONORED BY COLLEGEFOOTBALLPERFORMANCE.COM -- Utah State football players Tyler Bennett and Robert Turbin were honored by collegefootballperformance.com with weekly awards for their performances in USU's 54-17 romp of Weber State on Sept. 10. Bennett was named the Co-National Punter of the Week while Turbin was tabbed to the honorable mention Running Back of the Week list.
Bennett, a junior from Phoenix, Ariz. (North Canyon HS/Phoenix CC), punted three times for a 54.3 yards per punt with all three punts pinning Weber State inside its own 20-yard line, including two inside the Wildcats' 10 in the first quarter. Bennett's first punt was a 62-yarder that was downed at the WSU 4-yard line, while his second punt was a 52-yarder that went out of bounds at the Wildcats' 7. In the fourth quarter, Bennett hit a 49-yarder that went out of bounds at WSU's 12-yard line.
Turbin, a junior from Fremont, Calif. (Irvington HS), rushed for 180 yards on 18 carries (10.0 ypr), with two TD's Saturday night, and surpassed the 2,000 career yard mark along the way, becoming just the eighth USU running back to reach the 2,000-yard plateau. Turbin scored on a 14-yard run with 53 seconds left in the second quarter to pull USU to 17-17 at the half, the first of the Aggies' 44 unanswered points as the rallied from being down 17-10. At the 8:04 mark of the third quarter, Turbin tiptoed down the sideline and dove inside the pylon to the endzone to cap off a 31-yard scamper that put USU ahead, 30-17.
USU'S KEETON NAMED RIVALS.COM NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK -- Utah State football player Chuckie Keeton has been named the Rivals.com National Freshman of the Week for his performance in the season-opener at Auburn on Sept. 3.
Keeton, a native of Houston, Texas (Cypress Creek HS), was 21-of-30 passing for 213 yards and added two rushing TD's as part of 33 rushing yards in his Aggie debut in USU's hard-fought 42-38 loss at defending national champion No. 23/19 Auburn Saturday. Keeton is believed to be the first Aggie freshman to start a USU season-opener in at least the modern era. Keeton is also the first Aggie freshman to start a game at QB since Riley Nelson in 2006.
"Chuckie is a special player," USU head coach Gary Andersen said in his post-game interview. "I promise you no one is hurt more, even though he has been with us for a short period of time. We are in very good hands at the quarterback position. ... I love Chuckie Keeton. I have loved Chuckie Keeton since I walked into his living room."
WHIPPER-SNAPPER -- Nate Needham is one of 19 long snappers in the country who is a freshman, including one of eight who are redshirt-freshmen.
Player School True/Redshirt
John Broussard Louisiana True
Marius Burgsmueller Idaho True
Joe Cardona Navy True
Allan D'Appollonio Arkansas True
Will Denny Ole Miss Redshirt
Matt Dooley Indiana True
Grant Donovan Louisville Redshirt
Andrew East Vanderbilt Redshirt
Josh Elias Arizona True
Zach Ewan Wyoming True
Logan Feimster Wake Forest Redshirt
Matt Fortin Virginia Redshirt
Matt Giampapa Michigan State True
Reed Gordon Mississippi State Redshirt
Mike Molinari West Virginia Redshirt
Nate Needham UTAH STATE REDSHIRT
Ben Risenhoover Louisiana-Monroe True
Sam Rodgers Syracuse True
Scott Thompson NC State True
RETURNING FROM INJURY -- Seven players return to action after missing most or all of the 2010 season with injury: junior WR
Matt Austin, senior TE
Kellen Bartlett, senior OL
Robert Hill, senior WR
Stanley Morrison, junior CB
Jamaine Olson, senior RB
Michael Smith, junior RB
Robert Turbin and senior LB
Reuben Willis.
NEW D SCHEME -- Utah State's defense is changing from a 4-3 alignment to a 3-4 alignment.
WHISTLE SHUFFLE -- USU head coach Gary Andersen shuffled his coaching staff around and had some changes on his staff... Andersen will handle defensive coordinator duties, while Bill Busch will be the associate head coach/special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach... Offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin will shift to tight ends this season after coaching quarterbacks last year... Former Aggie player Matt Wells joined the USU staff in January and will be the quarterbacks coach... T.J. Woods is shifting from tight ends coach to offensive line coach, replacing Alex Gerke, who left the staff... Former Aggie player Frank Maile will be the defensive line coach, moving up from defensive graduate assistant to replace Chad Kauha'aha'a, who joined the Utah staff... Kendrick Shaver joined the USU staff in February and will be the Aggies' cornerbacks coach, replacing Corey Raymond who left for Indiana and later Nebraska... A pair of former University of Utah players Robert Conley and Spencer Toone were added to the staff as graduate assistants... Conley, a four-year starting offensive lineman, will be the offensive graduate assistant while Toone, a two-time all-Mountain West Conference selection and a two-year NFL player, will be the defensive graduate assistant.
BIOS NOT IN 2011 FOOTBALL GUIDE --
50 Jefferson Court
LB, 6-2, 220, FR, RS, Alta, Utah
(Alta HS/BYU)
A three-time all-state selection at Alta HS, helping the Hawks to a 13-1 record and the Utah Class 5A state title his senior season... Posted 106 tackles with seven sacks his senior season... Also a two-year starter on the AHS baseball team, driving in 40 RBI as a senior, and a one-year starter in basketball, earning all-state honors his senior season, combining for five total letters in the two sports... A Utah Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete honoree as a senior... Also an academic all-state honoree in baseball and basketball... Son of Daniel and Pamela Court... Has four sisters and one brother... Served LDS Church Mission to Anaheim, Calif. from May 2009-11... Chose USU because of football program... Intends on majoring in exercise science with future aspirations of being a doctor.
13 Tanner Curtis
QB, 6-0, 182, FR, HS, Salt Lake City, Utah
(East HS)
Earned first-team Utah Class 4A all-state honors at East HS as a quarterback by both the Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune, as well as first-team all-region... The dual-threat signal-caller rushed for 1,320 yards and 16 touchdowns while tossing for 1,113 yards with 13 scores and only two INT's as a senior, in helping the Leopards finish with an 8-3 overall record and a 4-2 record in Region 6, losing in the 4A quarterfinals... Was also named the Utah Blaze Ironman of the Year... Also a four-year letterwinner and starter for the EHS baseball team playing outfield and pitcher, earning second-team all-state honors by both the Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune, helping the Leopards to the state semi-finals his senior season... Also a two-year letterwinner and one-year starter on the basketball team... Son of Kyle and Barbara Curtis... Has three brothers... Chose USU because of academic success and the football program.
44 Jacob Haueter
PK, 5-11, 210, FR, TR, Ontario, Oregon
(Ontario HS/Boise State)
Participated in spring drills at Boise State before transferring to Utah State... A first-team all-Greater Oregon League placekicker and second-team punter in senior season at Ontario HS... Also a first-team all-Argus selection as a kicker by the Argus Observer... Was 6-of-12 on field goals with a long of 40 yards, and made 67 PAT's as a senior, and also booted 92 kickoffs with 29 touchbacks... Also punted 12 times with a 38.0 yards per punt average with a long of 62 yards and with two inside the 20... A three-year letterwinner in basketball, earning all-state honors as well as first-team all-league and the league MVP honors, netting 18.0 points and 3.2 assists per game as a senior, helping OHS to the state tournament... Son of Mark and Cori Haueter... Has two brothers and one sister... Served LDS Church Mission to San Antonio, Texas from 2009-11... Intends on majoring in business or pre-med with future plans to own his own company or be a dentist... Chose USU because of campus and community environment, which will allow him to become his best.
14 Taylor Hughes
QB, 6-1, 174, SR, TR, Corona Del Mar, Calif.
(Corona del Mar HS/Orange Coast CC)
Named to the SCFA all-conference team at Orange Coast CC after throwing for 1,992 yards with 17 TD's in nine games played, while also rushing for five scores... Also received Orange Coast CC's Captain Award... Earned all-CIF and Pacific League Offensive Player of the Year honors at Corona del Mar HS after throwing for 2,289 yards on 141 completions with 22 TD's... Set several school records, including most completions in a game (25), most passing yards (2,289), highest completion percentage (59.5) and most total offense yards (2,452)... Son of Joseph and Staci Hughes... Has one sister... Majoring in communication studies at Utah State... Chose USU because of football program.
80 Chuck Jacobs
WR, 6-0, 170, JR, TR, Richmond, Calif.
(Kennedy HS/Laney JC)
Led Laney JC with 27 catches for 238 yards with two TD's... Also had six punt returns for 54 yards (9.0 ypr) as well as 13 kick returns for 386 yards (29.7 ypr), leading the Eagles in both kick returns and kick return yardage... Played football at Kennedy HS... Also lettered on the Kennedy basketball team, helping the Eagles to a 27-6 record in senior season... Also lettered in track & field at KHS... Son of Jesse and JoAnn Jacobs... Has seven sisters and five brothers... Chose USU because of coaching staff and the football program.
64 Josh Larmay
OL, 6-6, 320, SO, TR, De Pere, Wisc.
(West De Pere HS/Minnesota State-Moorhead)
Played one season at Minnesota State-Moorhead, starting in one game for the Dragons in 2010... Was a two-year starter and four-year letterwinner at West DePere HS, earning first-team all-Bay Conference honors as a senior and second-team all-Area honors... Played both offensive and defensive line, posting 13 sacks in senior season... Helped lead the Phantoms to three Bay Conference titles... Was team captain in senior season... Also a one-year letterwinner in track & field... Son of Andy and Dyan Larmay... Has three younger brothers... Majoring in criminal justice at Utah State with future plans of being a police officer once his football career is over... Chose USU because of football program and felt was best opportunity for him to reach his goals.
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